Not aligned with Canada's interests

I have read the Initial Project Description (IPD) and I attended two public sessions in Tantramar to learn about the proposed facility. I will mention a few concerns briefly, then I will focus on the the crux of the problem that calls for a federal government intervention in the form of a full environmental assessment or, better still, an integrated Canadian solution.

The public meetings hindered rather than helped garner trust in the power utiity, the provincial government regulators, and the U.S.-based company that would operate the facility. From the outset, the "Renewables Integration and Grid Security" (RIGS) project name itself is off-putting as it attempts to soften the reality that this is a natural gas fuelled facility. At the community sessions there was a company claim of equity partnership implying this is already in place with Indigenous communities (shown in publicly shared documents), then it became clear this is false based on company responses to community questions. This accidental or overt mis-information is particularly egregious in the context of Reconciliation efforts as it appears to once again take advantage of Indigenous and suggest the project has their support. The company described a twenty+ year period of operations insinuating there may not be a need for the facility after that period, whereas company responses to questions at the public sessions indicated the twenty year period simply refers to the lease term and, not only do they expect the lease to be renewed, but they are hoping to expand facilities in Canada. New Brunswick Power is undergoing a review by the provincial government following a series of major errors, mis-management of infrastructure projects, and costs driving up electricity rates among the highest in the country. This project was (conveniently) out-sourced to an external (U.S.) company and therefore does not need to be reviewed by the New Brunswick Energy and Utility Board that brings rigorous scrutiny for costs, consumer interests, and alignment with policies and procedures. Finally, the Provincial government regulators were not inspiring confidence at the public sessions when asked whether the current provincial environmental assessment process would adequately address the many concerns raised at the session about water intake and effluent, air emissions, wildlife, health etc. Although provincial staff indicated these could be considered, the combined poor track record of provincial assessments, and lack of guarantee that more would be included, left community members unsatisfied. These are just a few of the issues and, if the project moves forward in any way, the federal government needs to intervene with a comprehensive process to address gaps left by the company, the utiity, and the Province. However, the public session ended with NB Power staff pressed to acknowledge that any contracts with the copmany to this point could be disolved if this is not the correct path, so perhaps the project shouldn't move ahead at all...

The crux of the problem is a cluster of issues that are tied to New Brunswick and Canada's much larger and long-term interests. The following outines how this project stands in stark contrast with the direction Canada needs to be heading. Why have a U.S. firm operate a facility that uses natural gas from the U.S. in the midst of a tarrif war and trying to diversify our economy away from dependence on the U.S.? Canada has vast resources and expertise to source and manage our electrical grid and it is particularly important to demonstrate this in the face of U.S. hostility. Why burn fossil fuels when we are in a Climate Emergency? As a result of fossil-fuel induced climate change, our forests are burning, our drinking water supplies are threatened, Canadians are suffering from heat-related health issues, droughts are impacting agriculture, new pests and diseases are affecting forests and crops, floods and storms are causing extensive damage. A natural gas generating facility is the complete opposite of what is needed - solutions that leave fossil fuels in the ground. Canada needs grid scale battery capacity, electric vehicles with vehicle to load capacity that can store energy for the grid, smart homes and appliances to reduce peaking power needs, much more demand side management, interprovincial grid integration, and Canadian green hydrogen that could play a role supporting the grid. The following outlines in more detail why the proposed facility must be replaced by alternatives that align with national interests and are so timely for addressing multiple priorities...

Building out Canada’s east-west electricity grid as a nation-building project with provinces, territories, Indigenous rights-holders and other stakeholders is a strategic, timely effort that builds on government commitments (https://liberal.ca/cstrong/), and should be identified as a top priority. It is worthy of significant federal resources to invest in affordable, secure, renewable power that supports Canada’s energy security. This can bring significant jobs, health, affordability and national security benefits to communities and businesses throughout Canada. 

Canada’s electricity needs are projected to double or even triple (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-sources/powering-canada-blueprint-success) before 2050, thanks to increasing electrification of industry, transportation and heating. Upgrading Canada’s east-west transmission grids has been the topic of study by the federal government (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/corporate/planning-reporting/audit-and-evaluation/evaluation-regional-electricity-cooperation-strategic-infrastructure-recsi-initiative), interregional planning bodies (https://www.nerc.com/news/Headlines%20DL/04292025%20NERC%20Canadian%20Analysis%20Announcement%20final.pdf), expert advisory councils (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-sources/powering-canada-blueprint-success) and leading energy modelling initiatives (https://cme-emh.ca/en/2023/10/01/annual_forum_2023_en/) for over a decade in Canada, and enjoys broad support from business (https://transitionaccelerator.ca/net-zero-pathways/power/), labour (https://greeneconomynet.ca/common-platform/renewable-energy/), Indigenous (https://fnmpc.ca/wp-content/uploads/FNMPC_National_Electrification_digital_final_04222024.pdf) and environment (https://climateinstitute.ca/reports/big-switch/) groups. 

Many studies have shown that improving the flow of electricity via new or upgraded transmission connections between provinces and territories saves ratepayers money and increases system reliability. It’s also a foundational requirement for the clean electrification of Canada’s economy more broadly. This comes with opportunities to build on the existing leadership of Indigenous Nations in renewable electricity projects (https://fnmpc.ca/wp-content/uploads/FNMPC_National_Electrification_digital_final_04222024.pdf), and with the responsibility to uphold Indigenous rights and Indigenous energy sovereignty (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/reduce-emissions/reducing-reliance-diesel.html). The shift toward renewable electricity also comes with significant reductions in air pollution and savings (https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2024/2024-12-18/html/sor-dors263-eng.html) from avoided health system costs. However, attempts to better connect Canada’s electricity system are beset by permitting and funding challenges, as well as interprovincial trade barriers (https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3813&context=ohlj). Federal government leadership is clearly needed. 

Federal funding and convening power are essential to bringing together provinces, territories, utilities, Indigenous rights-holders, and stakeholders to undergo the right planning processes with committed support. But these projects do not require any bypass of environmental assessments, treaty rights, or workers’ protections. 

Better integrating Canada’s electricity system is crucially important for energy security and economic competitiveness in the near term, but it is also a no-regret investment for the long-term prosperity of everyone living in Canada. Grid upgrades at this scale could create more than 300,000 jobs by 2050 (../../wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Shifting-Power-Zero-Emissions-Across-Canada-By-2035-Report.pdf). These projects can facilitate clean economic growth in key sectors and, if materials are procured here in Canada, can also bolster sectors that have been particularly affected by U.S. tariffs, such as aluminum and steel. 

The facility as currently proposed in New Brunswick appears to be a cheap, expedient option for the utility, but this locks in U.S.-based fossil-fuel dependence for decades. Rather than sink costs into this project, these significant investments should instead help pivot to the future Canadian net zero grid and economic independence from the U.S. that is critical. Your careful consideration is greatly appreciated and we look forward to positive next steps.

Kind regards,

Gregor MacAskill