The individual overseeing the development of a proposed natural gas facility in rural Tantramar advised local officials to direct their inquiries to N.B. Power for explanations regarding the selection of their community for the project. John MacIsaac, representing ProEnergy Canada, addressed the Tantramar council during a session where concerns were raised about the project, which has the capacity to produce up to 500 megawatts of power using up to 10 turbines.
Council members expressed doubts about receiving adequate information from MacIsaac and suggested that N.B. Power should be the primary source for clarifications on why Centre Village was chosen as the project site over alternatives like the Scoudouc Industrial Park. MacIsaac recommended that the council request a summary report from N.B. Power detailing the site selection process.
Despite the council’s decision not to oppose the plant officially, Mayor Andrew Black urged N.B. Power to participate in a future council meeting to address pertinent questions directly. The council extensively questioned MacIsaac for nearly an hour, with discussions on the potential commencement of preliminary work in early 2023 if the necessary approvals are obtained, aiming for the plant to be operational by mid-2028.
Councilor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell raised concerns about committing to a large-scale operation for a prolonged period and suggested exploring smaller and more environmentally friendly alternatives in the future. In response, MacIsaac emphasized the importance of the 10-turbine plant in ensuring the stability of the N.B. Power grid, particularly in supporting renewable energy sources.
Notably absent from N.B. Power’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan were references to the potential necessity of turbines for grid stability, as highlighted by MacIsaac. Vice-president Brad Coady of N.B. Power explained to a legislative committee that the gas plant proposal stemmed from forecasts indicating a potential shortfall in base load power by 2028, prompting the utility to seek solutions through a request for proposals leading to the current project development.
Several council members expressed skepticism towards ProEnergy, citing concerns about the company’s prior claims of a partnership with the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council. MacIsaac defended the company’s integrity and encouraged council members to verify the information through formal requests for supporting documentation provided during the proposal process.
Following the meeting, MLA Megan Mitton, a vocal opponent of the gas plant initiative, revealed that the project could cost N.B. Power at least $1 billion over the 25-year agreement with ProEnergy. The lack of transparency and information shared during the session left Mitton and community members disappointed, highlighting the community’s demand for more engagement and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.
Concluding the meeting, Tantramar council unanimously passed a motion calling for increased involvement and transparency from key stakeholders, including Premier Susan Holt, MP Dominic LeBlanc, Environment Minister Gilles LePage, N.B. Power CEO Lori Clark, and MacIsaac, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation of the project’s environmental impact.