Webinar slides - Public perceptions of CCS: Polling results from the Project Pioneer in Alberta, Canada

GLOBAL CCS INSTITUTE

Public perceptions of CCS: lessons from Canada
Don Wharton
TransAlta – Project Pioneer

WWW.GLOBALCCSINSTITUTE.COM


WELCOME
Your MC for today’s webinar …

Crispin Walker
Projects, Financial and Commercial Team
Global CCS Institute

1


DON WHARTON
- Vice-President, Sustainable Development at
TransAlta Corporation

- Leads TransAlta’s CCS work on
environmental issues and knowledge transfer.

- Chair of the Canadian Clean Power Coalition
(CCPC), Chair of the Canadian Working Group
of the International Emissions Trading
Association (IETA).

- Almost 30 years in the energy and
environment fields, both public and private
sector experience.

Chemical Engineering qualifications from the
University of Calgary.
2


QUESTIONS
You can submit questions
to Don simply by typing
your question directly into
the GoToWebinar control
Panel.

3


CCS OPINION POLLING
R E C E N T E X P E R I E N C E F RO M P RO J E C T P I O N E E R

Global CCS Institute Webinar
Sept 22, 2011

Don Wharton
VP Sustainable Development
TransAlta Corporation

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PROJECT PIONEER
• Post-combustion retrofit CCS project on 450MW supercritical coal plant
• Will capture 1 million tonnes/year
• $1.3B project to be operational in 2015
• Funded in part by Alberta and Canadian governments
• Full component project – capture, pipeline, storage
• Storage in both saline aquifer and enhanced oil recovery
• Managed by a consortium partnership – TransAlta, Enbridge, Capital
Power
• Status: FEED underway, decision to proceed March 2012

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POLLING RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

– Measuring the issue agenda;
– Determining awareness, knowledge and viewpoints on CSS;
– Establishing the relative importance of CCS;
– Exploring how Albertans can best be educated on the subject;
– Determining awareness, knowledge & viewpoints on Project Pioneer;
– Compare changes in attitudes to 2010 survey.

The overarching objective of the polling is to provide a baseline of public
attitudes on CCS and to guide future communication initiatives.

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METHODOLOGY
• TransAlta commissioned Ipsos Reid* to conduct research with Albertans regarding CCS
• 1,600 telephone interviews were completed:
– 800 interviews conducted with a random sample of adult Albertans
– 400 additional interviews with community residents in the vicinity of Project Pioneer
– Another 400 interviews for Shell with residents near Shell’s Quest CCS Project
• The margins of error for the study were:
– Alberta General Public Sample + / - 3.5 percentage points; and,
– TransAlta Community Sample + / - 4.9 percentage points.
• Interviews were fielded from August 4th to 14th, 2011. The average interview length was 20
minutes.

This presentation will focus on results from the Alberta General Public
Sample of 800.

* Ipsos Reid is Canada’s largest market research and public opinion polling firm, with over 500
research professionals. It operates the largest network of telephone call centres and consumer
panels in Canada.

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SUMMARY FINDINGS

1. Our 2011 polling results are highly consistent with those from 2010.
2. Public support for the concept of CCS in Alberta remains strong, although…
3. Natural awareness and understanding of CCS and projects is still modest.
4. A strong majority see CCS as no more risky than other energy infrastructures.
5. There’s a high desire for more information about CCS.
6. A majority support government investment in CCS.
7. There’s majority support for continued use of coal for power generation if CCS
is deployed.

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URGENCY OF CLIMATE CHANGE

2010
Very urgent 15%

36% 39%
Urgent 21%

Somewhat Urgent 32%

Not Very Urgent 16%
32% 28%
Not At All Urgent 15%

2011 (n=800)

A2. These days you may hear some people talking about climate change and global warming. For you personally is this an issue
that is ... 9
Base: All respondents


UNAIDED AWARENESS OF APPROACHES INTENDED
TO REDUCE CO2 EMISSIONS

Carbon Capture & Storage/ CCS 18% 21%
Alternative Energy (Net) 10% 19%
Wind power 4% 10%
Solar energy 4% 9%
Alternative energy 3%
Environmentally Friendly Cars (Net) 12% 16%
Electric cars 5% 8%
Hybrid cars 3% 4%
Environmentally friendly cars [incl.
energy efficient, eco, new car etc.]
2% 3%
Reducing carbon emissions 4%
Storage (General) 3% 4%
Other 19% 45%
Nothing 20% 20%
Don't Know 20% 20%
First Mention Other Mention
*Note: Results <3% placed in ‘other’
B1. As you are probably aware, efforts are being made to use new technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Canada. We're
interested in learning how well information about these technologies has been communicated to Canadians. To the best of your
knowledge, what technology or new approaches are - or soon will be - used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Canada? 10
Base: All respondents (n=800)


TOTAL AWARENESS OF CCS

Unaided Awareness
“To the best of your knowledge, what technology or
new approaches are – or soon will be – used to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Canada?”

CCS = 21%

(166 of 800 respondents) Total Awareness
2010
65% 64%
Aided Awareness
“Before talking to me today, have you heard, seen or
read anything about a technology called Carbon Capture
and Storage – also known by its initials as CCS?”

Yes = 55%

(351 of the remaining 634 respondents)

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WHAT IS CSS?

Storing CO2/ carbon underground 53% 53%
Capturing carbon before it comes off/ going into the air 40% 41%
Pumps back carbon dioxide into caverns/ empty oil wells/ 19% 20%
pipelines
Storage/ storing CO2/ carbon - unspecified
7% 8%
Heard about it/ know it exist
7% 7%
Good for the environment/ helps reduce emissions
4% 6%
3%
Use for oil recovery/ get more oil
5%
New (unproven) technology/ pilot project
3% 5%
Too expensive/ waste of money
4%
Reusing/ recycling (for energy)
4% 4%
Being done in other countries/ part of Alberta and 4%
Saskatchewan 3% 4%
Don't understand it (what it is, how it works, etc.)
3%
I am opposed to it
3% 3%
Related to oil and gas industry
3%
Government funding(in billions)/ pursuing it
3% 3%
Treating/ processing carbon (liquid or solid form)
3%
May not work/ help the environment
9% 14%
Other
6% 6%
Nothing 6% 6%
Don't Know
B3. What is Carbon Capture and Storage or CCS? What have you heard about it?
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Base: Aware of Carbon Capture and Storage (n=517)


SUPPORT FOR CCS
(AMONG THOSE AWARE OF CCS BEFORE STUDY)

Strongly support the 2010
use of CCS 13%

64% 66%
Somewhat support
the use of CCS 51%

Somewhat oppose
the use of CCS 14%

25% 23%
Strongly oppose the
use of CCS 11%

Don't Know 11%

2011 (n=517)

B4. Based on what you know so far, do you...
13
Base: Aware of Carbon Capture and Storage


DESCRIPTION OF CSS PRESENTED TO RESPONDENTS

“Carbon capture and storage – or CCS for short – is a technology
that captures and stores the carbon dioxide released from large
industrial facilities so that it does not enter the atmosphere. Carbon
dioxide is captured, transported by pipeline and injected into
storage sites that are more than one kilometer underground and
covered by dense layers of rock. The sites are monitored on an
ongoing basis into the future.”

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PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF CSS

Reduce/ Remove CO2 (Net) 22% 23%
Reducing CO2/ carbon in the atmosphere 10% 11%
Cutting down CO2 emissions 7% 7%
Removing CO2/ carbon from the
environment 5% 6%
Prevent CO2 (Net) 23% 23%

Prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere 14% 14%
Capture CO2/ carbon before it is released
into the air
9% 9%

Decrease global warming/ greenhouse effect 7% 9%

Better air quality 7% 9%

Improve/ help the environment 5% 6%

Less pollution (unspecified) 5% 6%
Storing CO2/ carbon into the ground
5% 5%
(incl. carbon sequestration)


B5A. What do you think is the main benefit of CCS?
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PERCEIVED DRAWBACKS OF CSS

Leakage/ ruptures 18% 22%
Cost/ expensive 13% 17%
The unknown (long term) effects/ the long term effects 10% 13%
Not addressing/ delaying (emission/ CO2) problem/
solution
9% 10%
Water pollution/ contamination of ground water 4% 5%
Underground storage/ sealing 4% 4%
Effect on the environment 3% 4%
Ineffective/ won't work 3% 4%
Soil pollution/ contamination of ground 3% 4%
Safeguards/ safety 3% 4%
Limited space for storage 3% 3%
Unproven technology 3% 3%
Waste of time/ money 2% 3%
Monitoring/ managing/ regulation concerns 2% 3%
Concerns with the amount of knowledge (of others) 2% 3%
Other 22% 38%
Nothing 9% 9%
Don't Know 7% 7%

B5B. What do you think is the main concern or drawback of CCS?
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PRIORITIZING & SUPPORTING CSS
Somewhat
Don’t know Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Disagree

2010
<1% 21% 10 11 CCS should be a top priority of 40% 38% 79% 81%
companies that produce energy

4% 26% 13%13% CCS will benefit Canada 27% 44% 71% 72%

2% 32% 15% 18% CCS is part of a long term solution to 24% 42% 66% 67%
protecting the environment

I will think of companies who use CCS
4% 31% 18% 14% more favourably than I did before
23% 43% 65% 68%
CCS is a good way to balance
2% 33% 16% 17% economic development and protecting 20% 45% 65% 70%
the environment
CCS will have a very positive impact
5% 31% 16% 15% on the environment
20% 45% 64% 69%
CCS should - in part - be supported
1% 38% 15% 23% by funding from government 21% 40% 61% 63%

3% 36% 18% 18% I personally support CCS projects 18% 43% 61% 63%
CCS should be a top priority of
1% 39% 20% 19% government 21% 40% 60% 63%
I would support the development of a
3% 37% 14% 23% CCS project in my community 18% 42% 60% 63%

B6A. I'm now going to read you some statements about Carbon Capture and Storage overall. Please tell me
whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each. The first
statement is ... What about ... ? 17


REASONS FOR SUPPORTING CCS PROJECTS

Good for the environment 19%

Good idea/ it has merit 14%

Prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere 8%

It's a good start/ doing something 8%

Economical development/ more jobs 4%

Support CCS 3%

Good for people/ family/ future 3%
Good for/ improve image of the province/
country
1%

All other positive mentions 8%

Other 1%

Nothing 1%

B6B. Why do you say that? What is the main reason for saying that you agree (strongly/somewhat) with the statement, 'I
personally support CCS projects'?
18
Base: Gen pop Alberta sample who Agree with the statement 'I personally support CCS projects‘ (n=486)


REASONS FOR NOT SUPPORTING CCS PROJECTS

Doesn't deal with the bigger problems/ not
long term/ there are better ways 29%

Unproven technology 15%

Won't provide any environmental benefits 11%

Disagree with the idea/ the whole concept 11%

Too expensive 10%

Don't trust it/ the companies/ government 10%

Paid for by government/ taxpayers 7%

May hurt environment 3%

Waste my time/ not interesting 3%

All other negative mentions 3%

Nothing 1%

Don't Know 1%

B6B. Why do you say that? What is the main reason for saying that you disagree (strongly/somewhat) with the statement, 'I
personally support CCS projects'?
19
Base: Gen pop Alberta sample who Disagree with the statement 'I personally support CCS projects‘ (n=289)


VIEWS ON POTENTIAL CONCERNS FOR CCS
Somewhat Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Don’t know Strongly Disagree
Disagree

2010
CCS will neither increase nor
5% 29% 18% 11% decrease the total amount of fossil 27% 40% 66% 60%
fuels consumed by Canadians

Transporting CO2 to storage by
6% 31% 21% 10 pipeline poses a low safety risk 18% 45% 63% 64%

Storing CO2 poses low risk for human
7% 43% 28% 15% or animal health 13% 38% 50% 33%

With CCS, CO2 will remain stored and
7% 44% 28% 16% not cause greenhouse gas emissions 11% 38% 49% 48%
in the future

Storing CO2 poses low risk for soil or
8% 49% 29% 19% water pollution 11% 32% 43% 30%

CCS can be implemented in a cost
9% 50% 27% 23% effective manner for taxpayers and 8% 34% 42% 42%
consumers

The future results for the environment
3% 71% 34% 38% of using CCS are well understood 4 22% 26% 26%

B7. Next, I'd like to read you some more specific statements about Carbon Capture and Storage. Please tell me
whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each one. The first is ...
What about ... ? 20


VIEWS ON BENEFITS OF CSS
Don’t know Somewhat Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree
Strongly Disagree
Disagree

2010
Using CCS will create jobs and
1% 20% 13% 7 bring other economic benefits 23% 55% 78% 79%

CCS will allow energy
companies in Canada to
1% 23% 12%11% continue their activities while still 25% 51% 76% 79%
reducing carbon dioxide
emissions
CCS can be implemented more
quickly to benefit the
8% 38% 24% 14% environment than can other 11% 43% 54% 57%
potential technologies and
approaches

CCS will help to increase the
5% 41% 26% 16% amount of oil and gas that can 15% 39% 54% 54%
be produced in Canada

Using CCS will make it less
likely that we as Canadians will
3% 50% 26% 23% have to significantly change our 13% 35% 48% 51%
lifestyles in order to reduce
carbon dioxide emissions

B8. Now, I'd like to read you some statements about benefits that people may think will come from using Carbon
Capture and Storage. We'd like to know what you think about each of these possible benefits. Please tell me
whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each one. The first is ...
What about ...? 21


INTEREST IN INFORMATION ABOUT CCS

Don't know
<1%

2010
No
28% Yes = 74%

No = 26%

Yes
71%

B9. If you could get information in a way that works well for you, would you be interested in learning more about
how CCS is being used in Canada?
22


AWARENESS OF PROJECT PIONEER

Don't know
<1%

Yes
7% 2010

Yes = 7%

No = 93%

No
92%

E5. Before talking to me today, did you know that TransAlta is developing a Carbon Capture and Storage Project called Project
Pioneer? 23
Base: Respondents who did not mention project Pioneer (n=799)


KNOWLEDGE OF PROJECT PIONEER
(AMONG THOSE PREVIOUSLY AWARE)

Project has started/ they're working on it 12% 14%

Just the name/ that it exists 9% 9%

On the news/ newspaper 7% 7%

Project to capture CO2/ carbon
7% 7%
Funded/ supported/ approved by the
government 2% 2%

Heard from friends/ spouse 2% 2%

Other 22% 24%

Nothing 32% 32%

Don't Know 9%

*Caution: Small base
E6. What have you heard about TransAlta's Project Pioneer?
Base: Aware that TransAlta is developing a Carbon Capture and Storage Project called Project Pioneer (n=59*) 24


IMPRESSIONS & SUPPORT FOR PIONEER
Disagree

2010
Project Pioneer will benefit
4% 18% 10% 8 Alberta 30% 49% 79% 80%

Project Pioneer is a good way
to balance economic
3% 25% 14%11% development and protecting 22% 50% 72% 73%
the environment

Project Pioneer will have a
4% 27% 16% 11% very positive impact on the 21% 48% 69% 71%
environment

Project Pioneer makes me
3% 33% 21% 12% think of TransAlta more 22% 42% 64% 66%
favourably than I did before

I personally support Project
5% 32% 18% 14% Pioneer 21% 42% 63% 64%

E9. Now I'd like to read you some statements about Project Pioneer. Please tell me whether you strongly agree,
somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with each one.
25


REASONS FOR SUPPORTING PIONEER

Good idea/ it has merit 23%
Good for the environment 21%
Prevent CO2 from entering the
atmosphere 10%
Economical development/ more jobs 8%
It's a good start/ doing something 5%
Good for/ improve image of the province/
3%
country
Support CCS 2%

Good for people/ family/ future 2%

All other positive mentions 6%

Not familiar with it/ need more information 19%

Other 3%

Nothing 1%

Don't Know 3%

E10. Why do you say that? What is the main reason for saying that you agree (strongly/somewhat) with the statement,
‘ I personally support Project Pioneer'?
Base: Agree with the statement 'I personally support Project Pioneer' (n=463) 26


REASONS FOR NOT SUPPORTING PROJECT PIONEER

Disagree with the idea/ the whole concept 19%
Doesn't deal with the bigger problems/ not
long term/ there are better ways 16%

Unproven technology 10%

Too expensive 9%
Don't trust it/ the companies/ government 8%
Won't provide any environmental benefits 7%
Paid for by government/ taxpayers 6%
May hurt environment 2%
Not familiar with it/ need more information 30%
Other 1%
Nothing 1%
Don't Know 2%

E10. Why do you say that? What is the main reason for saying that you disagree (strongly/somewhat) with the statement, 'I
personally support Project Pioneer’?
27
Base: Disagree with the statement 'I personally support Project Pioneer‘ (n=239)


PERCEIVED SAFETY RISKS OF CCS VS.
OTHER ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

More safety risk 18%

About the same 55%

Less safety risk 21%

Don't Know 5%

2011 (n=800)

F1. Energy infrastructure can be found in locations all over Canada. This includes oil and gas wells, oil and gas
pipelines, electricity generation plants and electricity transmission lines. Compared to this type of infrastructure, do you
think the potential safety risks of a Carbon Capture and Storage facility would be about the same, more or less?
28
Base: All respondents


COAL VS. NATURAL GAS FIRED GENERATION

Don't
know
7%

Yes
Yes 29%
41%
No
52% No
62%

2010 2010

No = 47% No = 58%

F2A. Coal is used to produce electricity in Alberta and five other F2B. What if I told you that Alberta has a supply of inexpensive coal that
Canadian provinces. Do you think that Alberta should shut down will last hundreds of years? Knowing this, do you still think Alberta
the plants which generate electricity using coal and replace them should shut down the plants which generate electricity using coal and
with plants that use natural gas instead? replace them with plants that use natural gas instead?

Base: Think that Alberta should shut down the plants which generate electricity 29
Base: All respondents (n=800) using coal and replace them with plants that use natural gas instead (n=330)


COAL AND THE BENEFITS OF CSS – AIDED
Disagree

2010

I would personally support
expanding the use of coal in
2% 23% 13%11% Canada if using CCS meant that it 32% 43% 75% 74%
would have no more impact on the
environment than other ways of
producing energy

If CCS was used to reduce the
3% 38% 21% 17% carbon dioxide emissions, I would 20% 40% 60% 59%
personally support expanding the
use of coal in Canada to help
address our growing energy needs

F3. Please tell me whether you personally strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly
disagree with each of the following statements.
30


Questions?

31


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Webinar slides - Public perceptions of CCS: Polling results from the Project Pioneer in Alberta, Canada

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Webinar slides - Public perceptions of CCS: Polling results from the Project Pioneer in Alberta, Canada