The individual overseeing the development of a proposed natural gas facility in rural Tantramar advised local officials this week to direct their inquiries to N.B. Power for information on why their community was selected for the project. John MacIsaac from ProEnergy Canada addressed Tantramar council on Tuesday to address concerns about the project. However, council members expressed uncertainty about obtaining the necessary information regarding the facility, which has the capacity to generate up to 500 megawatts of power from 10 turbines.
During the meeting in Sackville, Coun. Josh Goguen remarked that MacIsaac might not be the appropriate person to provide answers, suggesting that N.B. Power should be the one fielding questions. MacIsaac concurred with Goguen’s sentiment and encouraged councillors to request a report from N.B. Power detailing why Centre Village was preferred over alternative locations like the Scoudouc Industrial Park.
Despite the council’s decision against formally opposing the gas plant last month, Tantramar Mayor Andrew Black urged N.B. Power to participate in a future council session, emphasizing the importance of addressing pertinent queries directly to the company. Council members engaged in a rigorous questioning session with MacIsaac for nearly an hour. If the project secures approvals from higher authorities, preliminary construction work could commence in early 2023, with the plant potentially operational by mid-2028.
Coun. Debbie Wiggins-Colwell raised concerns about committing to such a large-scale operation for a prolonged period, suggesting that future developments might favor smaller, less disruptive alternatives. In response, MacIsaac justified the necessity of the 10-turbine plant in preserving stability within the N.B. Power grid, particularly as the reliance on renewable energy sources grows.
Brad Coady, a vice-president at N.B. Power, disclosed to a legislative committee that the gas plant proposal stemmed from projections indicating a potential shortfall in base load power by 2028. This projection prompted a series of actions leading to the selection of the current technology solution and project partner. While N.B. Power initially sought proposals for a 400-megawatt plant, ProEnergy has applied for approval for a 500-megawatt facility.
Several councillors, including Allison Butcher, expressed skepticism towards MacIsaac based on the company’s previous claims of collaboration with the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council. MacIsaac defended the company and encouraged the council to verify the information by submitting formal requests for supporting documentation related to the project.
MLA Megan Mitton, who opposes the gas plant initiative, highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the project’s estimated $1 billion cost to N.B. Power over a 25-year period. Mitton criticized the limited information shared during the meeting, emphasizing the community’s demand for transparency and her opposition to the gas plant construction.
Following the meeting, Tantramar council unanimously passed a motion urging formal correspondence to key stakeholders, including Premier Susan Holt, Beausejour MP Dominic LeBlanc, New Brunswick Environment Minister Gilles LePage, N.B. Power CEO Lori Clark, and MacIsaac. The letters called for increased engagement on the project and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.