In a close vote on Tuesday evening, Tantramar council members declined to formally oppose a planned natural gas power plant in a rural area of southeastern New Brunswick. N.B. Power had previously announced the plan for the Renewables Integration and Grid Stability (RIGS) project near Centre Village, drawing opposition from local residents and environmental organizations.
Councilor Michael Tower presented a motion following a request from the Stop the Tantramar Gas Plant group, urging the council to write to Premier Susan Holt to halt the project. The motion suggested prioritizing wind and solar energy generation with battery storage systems instead. However, the motion was defeated 5-4 after deliberation on the council’s jurisdiction and the project’s costs and benefits.
Midgic resident Juliette Bulmer expressed disappointment with the decision, challenging Mayor Andrew Black and some councilors’ reluctance to intervene in the project. The Stop the Tantramar Gas Plant group is now awaiting a response from Premier Holt following the delivery of letters last week.
During the debate, Black emphasized that taking a stance on the project was beyond the council’s mandate, stating that municipalities should focus on their designated responsibilities. Deputy Mayor Matt Estabrooks echoed Black’s concerns about the council’s role, cautioning against assuming activist roles.
Despite differing opinions among council members, the discussion highlighted concerns about the potential impact of the power plant on the community. Tower raised issues regarding water usage, emergency response capabilities, and transparency in project information. Councilor Allison Butcher and others expressed skepticism about the project’s environmental claims and community support.
Estabrooks emphasized the economic benefits of the project, estimating substantial revenue generation over the next 25 years. He underscored the project’s importance for the province while acknowledging the need to address environmental concerns at various governmental levels.
The next steps involve awaiting a provincial decision on the project’s environmental impact assessment. Community groups, Mayor Black, and MLA Megan Mitton have advocated for a thorough review process. While federal authorities have concluded no further assessment is necessary, ProEnergy has obtained regulatory approvals to proceed with site investigations in Centre Village. Company vice-president Chris Evans highlighted upcoming water assessments and road-building efforts to address community inquiries.