Climate, Location, and Environmental Concerns

I would like to register my opposition to the project due to concerns about increased fossil fuel dependence and GHG emissions, the threats to wildlife, and ecological risks, such as watershed health, and air and sound pollution. To elaborate on these concerns:

Fossil fuel dependence and GHG emissions: The proposed project would prolong our dependence on burning fossil fuels (natural gas and diesel) for at least 25 years, and the fracked gas on which this project depends entails the release of methane, a potent GHG, all along its line of production. This project will thus undermine our urgent need to cease all GHG emissions, and undercut our ability to meet the federal government’s climate target of net-zero by 2050, as well as the provincial climate targets. Thus to propose a natural gas or diesel powered project in order to meet our energy needs—at a time when there are climate change-induced fires threatening communities in Canada and New Brunswick-- is irresponsible and short-sighted. NB Power should consider alternative ways to meet the challenge of balancing the grid and back-stopping renewable energy, such as through the use of utility-scale batteries, or through the enhancement of our use of hydro-electric energy.

Threats to wildlife: The location of the proposed project is right in the center of a highly sensitive and narrow wildlife corridor on the Chignecto Isthmus, which has been identified by Parks Canada as one 23 regions where conservation and ecological restoration is critically important. This poses risks to migratory birds, moose, and other wildlife that are already at risk. It is also immediately adjacent to the Atlantic Wildlife Institute, a wildlife rehabilitation charity which ironically, is the only facility in the entire maritime region with the expertise to respond to wildlife needs in the case of an emergency such as might be caused by an industrial accident—such as the kind that the operation proposed gas plant might cause. It is galling that the current site is even being considered. If this project goes ahead—and I strongly recommend it does not, it absolutely should be moved to an industrial site away from the Chignecto isthmus.

Threats to water, including groundwater and surface water: I am deeply concerned about the immense amounts of water the proposed project would consume, as this would almost certainly negatively affect groundwater and local streams. Impacts and pollution from effluent from the proposed facility could threaten the safety of well-water for residents and the health of local wildlife. Also, the plan to dispose of liquid effluent discharge directly into a local wetland habitat, or in a “nearby ditch off Route 940” is completely unacceptable.  This surely violates the provincial regulations that protect wetlands and waterways.

Finally, I am also concerned about air pollution caused by potential gas flaring, which has been known to increase respiratory problems such as asthma;  sound pollution from the operation of the facility, which would disturb both human residents and wildlife; and light pollution  that would harm wildlife such as birds and insects which have been shown to be disoriented and negatively impacted by the presence of nocturnal lighting.  

Consequently, while I strongly object to the proposed project and think it should be cancelled, if the project continues to be considered, I call for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the proposed 500 MW gas/diesel generating plant on the Chignecto Isthmus.

Dr. Barbra Clayton

Walter B. Cowan Chair in Religious Studies

Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies

Mount Allison University