Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq chiefs oppose $100M Alton gas storage project
Project to store fuel in summer when prices low and withdraw it when demand peaks in winter
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs has issued a news release saying no further work should be carried out on a $100-million natural gas storage project near Stewiacke.
In the statement the chiefs say they are "taken aback" that construction has started in Alton with what they describe as "minimal consultation".
A crew of 70 people is currently working on a huge site where a rig is drilling holes for pipes that will carry water from the Shubenacadie river 12 kilometres away to dissolve salt caverns. Another set of pipes will carry the salty water back to the same river to be flushed away with the powerful current.
The estimated 101 million to 170 million cubic-metre underground space will store compressed natural gas delivered by the Maritimes Northeast pipeline.
The Alton Gas Storage project is owned by AltaGas, an Alberta-based energy company, the same Canadian company that owns the Heritage Gas distribution business.
By storing fuel in the summer and withdrawing it when demand peaks in the winter, Heritage Gas expects to reduce sticker shock for its customers.
The project will take about three years to complete. It already has government approval.
The assembly wants "meaningful" consultation with the company, the province and the federal Fisheries department.
The chiefs say they are worried the development could have a significant impact on both water quality and fish in the Shubenacadie River.