Mi'kmaq begin review of $100M Alton natural gas storage project
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates picked for 90-day review
Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq have wasted little time in awarding a contract to review the scientific evidence behind the $100-million Alton natural gas project planned near Stewaicke.
On Thursday, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs announced that Conestoga-Rovers & Associates will carry out a third party review of the Alton Natural Gas LP Brine Storage and Discharge Facility.
"We have concerns about the potential impacts to the environment and Mi'kmaq treaty rights and title," Chief Paul Prosper, the assembly's lead chief on energy, said in a release.
"It's important that the science is looked at and thoroughly examined by environmental experts to ensure that all aspects are being considered."
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates will examine existing data and evaluate the scientific and technical information surrounding the natural gas storage project.
Until the 90-day review is completed, the Nova Scotia government says it will continue to withhold environmental permits needed to complete the construction of the project. It involves drilling three large, underground storage caverns and pumping briny water through a 12-kilometre long pipeline, where it will be discharged into a river system.
Last fall, the province withheld permits needed for portions of the pipeline construction after the Mi'kmaq claimed they had not been adequately consulted.
The project — owned by AltaGas Ltd. — received its government environmental approvals in 2007.
Natural gas storage at Alton is widely accepted as the most economic way to protect Nova Scotia natural gas consumers from winter price peaks. It will allow another AltaGas subsidiary, Heritage Gas, to buy a large amount of supply in summer when prices are lower.