Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Bromley to the Minister of Transportation on June 6, 2012, regarding climate change adaptation costs.
a) Settlement of the Dempster Highway due to
permafrost thaws;
b) Increased road and gravel applications to South
Slave highways;
c) Costs associated with the delayed opening of
the Tlicho winter road;
d) Extra frost and ice removal at the Inuvik Airport.
It is difficult to differentiate between routine and climate change included O and M costs for individual activities such as those listed above. In a 2007 report, Climate Change and Transportation in the NWT, the impacts of climate change on all-season roads and airports as a whole were estimated at a minimum of $1.2 million annually in direct costs to the Department of Transportation.
In addition, seasonal disruptions and shortened winter road seasons can impact the cost of living and of doing business. These indirect costs are difficult to quantify.
e) Increased de-icing glycol use at the Yellowknife
Airport and construction of increased glycol storage facilities.
The Department of Transportation has tracked glycol use for the last six years. In that time, total volumes have fluctuated from year to year. Anecdotally, usage has increased since prior to tracking and is evident from the need for larger storage facilities. Total annual glycol usage reported by air carriers is as follows:
• 109,403 litres in 2011-2012;
• 96,684 litres in 2010-11;
• 122,825 litres in 2009-10;
• 88,787 litres in 2008-09;
• 74,014 litres in 2007-08; and
• 112,919 litres in 2006-07.
The construction of the Glycol Retention and Treatment Facility cost $210,000. The construction of the Glycol Interim Snow Storage Area Facility cost $650,000. Much of the work, including engineering, was carried out by own forces.
f) Development and purchase of ice spray
technology for use in ferries.
The replacement cost of ice spray equipment is $300,000 per unit. Incremental investments, made
through the strategic initiative Reducing the Cost of Living funding by the Department of Transportation since 2009 to accelerate ice crossing construction are as follows:
• Dempster
Highway,