Bruce Wark Reports on Gas Plant Project in Tantramar here:
Mayor, MLA, environmental expert question plan for big Tantramar gas plant |
Hi Elaine! Without a doubt, QC had a hand in killing the Energy East, as did bill C-69, which was called the “No New Pipelines Act,” but officially known as the “Impact Assessment Act,” which put strict protocols in place for any new pipeline/mining or resource-based project construction. This ultimately killed numerous projects and resulted in loss of investment and revenue in Canada. When the Energy East public consultations were being held, I was scheduled to be one of the presenters at a forum held in Quebec City. The previous nights’ positive and optimistic mood during dinner with the project executives, gave way to disappointment that next morning at 7am, when I was told via phone conversation that the project was scrubbed, by “Ottawa,” was the response I received. Shame.
Hi Elaine! The government bought the TransMountain Pipeline project in 2018, whereas the Impact Assessment Act was introduced in 2019. I worked for a time on the TMPL project, which was the worst pipeline job I was ever on and resigned with just around 6 months in. Prior to the former PM and his cabal dismantling it, the National Energy Board in Calgary was the body responsible for oil and gas, pipeline and trans-provincial projects, They were tough yet fair and any presentation I did in preparation for a new pipeline project for them was about the same intensity as being in a court of law. To have their mandate and reputation diminished by the former gang in Ottawa, was not necessary. Environmental laws in Canada pertaining to pipeline construction are very strict and not a question of choosing those that fit a specific project. Non compliance is not allowed and companies have paid huge fines in the event thereof. Assuming there will be a pipeline from AB to NB, it would most likely start in area east of Ontario where it can connect with existing infrastructure, like the EE project was going to do near Levis, QC. Typically, a project is divided into sections, or, spreads that permit a flurry of activity within one calendar year from ground prep to in service. You’d probably see half a dozen or more pipeline construction contractors working at one time. If a propbllem pops up and they typically do, it can derail construction for months, even years. In the case of the Keystone XL portion in the US, there has been pipe and machinery on the ground at points between Oklahoma and Texas, stockpiled for potential use. It has been there for a few years, being scrubbed by 2 US presidents.
Hi Elaine, I gave you a reasonable estimate on the timeframe involved, which would be dependent on several variables, including number of sections or spreads, routing, permits and licensing, availability of pipe and workers. Offhand, I’d say 2-4 years to build a line from just west of Montreal to Saint John, which would follow the old EE routing/alignment.
Your theorizing about hydrogen and world markets is a bit ‘out there,’ IMHO, but nonetheless are good points to think about. Hydrogen is coming, but most likely won’t be there for a few years yet. Make no mistake, natural gas will continue to be around for a long time and is by no means a ‘lessening influence.’
Am I biased regarding the former powers that were in Ottawa? You bet I am. With the stroke of a pen and the influence that went with it, thousands of folks like me who worked in oil and gas were rendered unemployed, for no reason than political will. Projects dried up and investment in this country suffered.
It’s your call on whether to read my comments as legitimate, or not. It makes no difference to me. One of the problems we have in this part of the country is the negative and willful distrust of any project that even smells like oil/gas or mining, despite the strong regulatory protocols in place. It seems to be easier to bash and ridicule versus educate, read and listen about a proposed project like this. I suggest you do a little personal research and educate yourself on the whole process, instead of perpetuating fear mongering and ignorance. Your call.
Hi Jon, I was pointing out that TransCanada Pipelines (now TC Energy) has access to the East Coast via the Maritimes and Northeast system and was the proponent for the bitumen line as you referenced from a previous comment. If need be, oil and gas can be shipped in the same pipeline, as both have roughly the same MAOP (mean average operating pressure). It would be a bit messy cleaning the bitumen from the lines, but that’s why they make smart and cleanout pigs.
You are correct, Harold. The M&NP routing had landfall from Sable Island near Goldboro, N.S., which then had a pipeline right of way extending all the way to Dracut MA and situated close to New Glasgow, Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John. Had the former PM and his minions not scrubbed it, the Energy East pipeline would have tied into the Canadian mainline system near Levis QC and proceeded east towards Riviere du Loup QC, ultimately heading south to terminate in Saint John. When you have a minute, perhaps google Canadian oil and gas mainline pipelines and you should see a map of the different lines. You could also look up the different gas transmission companies (TC Energy, Enbridge, Cenovus, BP, etc) who should have a map on their respective websites showing their pipeline routing.
Once again, the mayor and local MLA plant their feet solidly below their nose in comenting on this issue, perhaps showing their unsuitability for the roles they now have. Any gas would be transported through the old Maritmes and Northeast Pipeline (which the writer helped build in 1999) and the gas plant would tap into the supply, just like the gas loading facility does outside of Baie Verte. There woud be no fracking involved. The gas is from Western Canada, originating and transported via the TC Energy network, or, when the writer worked for them, TransCanada Pipelines. Pipeline is by far the most secure, cost efficient and environmentally safe method to ship natural gas. Public consultation is part of the permitting and licensing process, which the companies are obligated to do. I never heard the mayors of Calgary, Edmonton, Nelson BC, Fort McMurray, Swift Current SK, North Bay ON or other places that have pipelines in the ground, cry spilt milk as this mayor does. It may be a good idea for him to learn about a subject matter and understand the process, before he claims the sky to be falling.
Additional reading here:
2024-12-13-Sustainability-Shakedown-Report.pdf
