Tantramar Gas Power Plant - Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick

Opponents vow ‘fight is not over’ after EUB approves gas plant

CRED-NB is a member of the Coalition to Protect the Chignecto Isthmus (CPIC) that is fighting the development of a fossil gas plant that was given the green light this week by New Brunswick’s Energy and Utilities Board. This article by Bruce Wark in the NB Media Co-op, HERE, has the reaction of CPIC, New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance and the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.

CRED-NB’s statement on the EUB approval of the Tantramar Gas Plant

CRED-NB is deeply disappointed by the approval of the 500-megawatt gas-and-diesel plant proposed for Tantramar by the NB Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) on May 28.

While the plant threatens the sensitive Chignecto ecosystem, human health from toxic and climate-changing emissions, and aenergy affordability, the EUB is not required to consider the added costs these impacts would impose on the public.

As Megan Mitton, MLA for Tantramar, observed, the EUB is only required to determine if the project is “reasonable financially.”

It’s hard to see how approving a project that will contribute to rising electricity bills and increasing costs for health care and climate-related emergency response is reasonable financially.

Despite this setback, opponents are considering next steps, including launching a legal review of the EUB’s decision.

The power of the provincial government to overturn a decision by the EUB was removed by legislation in 2013.

In its decision, the EUB rebuked NB Power for filing insufficient information in support of its application for regulatory approval. In a CBC article, Lisa J Griffin, organizer of the Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition, noted that when Prince Edward Island’s energy regulator faced a similar difficulty during its ongoing hearings for gas plants from ProEnergy, the same company building the Tantramar project, it commissioned a study from Synapse Energy Economics of Massachusetts. The study concluded that battery storage was cheaper than gas plants and brought added benefits.

Why didn’t the EUB commission such a study when it found NB Power’s information on alternatives insufficient? Was it because ProEnergy had set June 2 as the deadline for regulatory approval, failing which it would walk away from its contract with NB Power?

Would pausing the hearings to commission a study have fallen outside the EUB’s mandate? In either case, the regulations governing the EUB have not served the public interest. Reform of the EUB Act should be considered. When the information supplied to support the project is insufficient, the EUB should not be bound by proponent “deadlines” and instead be able to extend the timelines to gather sufficient information to make an informed decision.

MayDay rally in Tantramar

May 1st, from 4 to 6 PM, rain or shine, rally to show opposition to the proposed gas plant in Tantramar. Gather at the site of the Centre Village gas plant, 1612 Route 940 in Tantramar. Bring signs and be ready to make noise! Seniors for Climate Tantramar and other members of the Protect The Chignecto Isthmus Coalition (PCIC) will take part in the Protest. CRED-NB is a PCIC member. The Protest will send a clear message to Premier Holt, Minister Legacy, NB Power and ProEnergy that the proposed gas plant is not welcome in Centre Village, or anywhere.

Questions about another ProEnergy gas plant – in P.E.I.

ProEnergy Services is active not only in New Brunswick but also P.E.I. A new study raises significant concerns about proposals by the provincial utility in that province, Maritime Electric, to purchase two refurbished aeroderivative combustion turbines from ProEnergy Services to service the Prince Edward Island electrical grid. Read the article and see the link to the study HERE.

The study could be useful for activists in New Brunswick fighting the Tantramar gas plant proposal. The study was commissioned by Climate Action Network Canada and the Ecology Action Centre. CRED-NB is a member of Climate Action Network Canada.

The Tantramar diesel plant is a deal New Brunswick can’t afford

Beverly Gingras, the Executive Director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick wrote about the costs of and alternatives to the power plant proposed for Tantramar.

You can read her piece HERE.

NB Power has failed to make its case for gas plant

Jim Emberger, coordinator of CRED-NB Champion group New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance (NBASGA) published an op-ed in the Telegraph Journal arguing that NB Power’s case for the Tantramar gas plant does not make the grade. Read it on the NBASGA website, HERE.

Over 120 scientists and academics say ‘no’ to Tantramar shale gas plant

Several CRED-NB members joined the more than 120 scientists and academics from all four universities in New Brunswick (Université de Moncton, University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, Mount Allison University) signed a letter to Susan Holt, asking the Premier to intervene and stop NB Power’s proposal to build a fossil gas plant in Tantramar. The letter was published in the Telegraph Journal, Acadie Nouvelle and the NB Media Co-op. Read the letter HERE.

More opposition to gas-fired power plant in Tantramar

On Wednesday January 14 the Tantramar Climate Change Advisory Committee organized an public information session on the gas-fire power plant proposed by with NB Power. The session included a presentation by Brad Coady of NB Power followed several pointed questions. The questions included topics such as the potential impact on the environment and residents, why better options are not being pursued, and whether there is a need for such a plant.

Mira Dietz Chiasson, a Tantramar resident, wrote an open letter to Susan Holt about the event. See her letter at the NB Media Coop: We can do better: Cancel the Tantramar gas plant now and replace it with battery storage systems.

CRED-NB joins the Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition

In November, CRED-NB joined the Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition (PCIC) to fight a 500-megawatt gas/diesel plant for Tantramar.

December 1 is the date of the next Public Information Meeting about the Tantramar Gas/Diesel Plant (en francais)
Lundi 1 dec. • CLUB D’AGE D’OR DE PRE D’EN HAUT
1027 Rue Principale • Memramcook
18h30 – 20h30

The Tantramar Gas Plant Isn’t About Grid Security OR The Health of New Brunswickers

To read NB Lung’s explanation, click HERE.

Sign NB Lung’s advocacy letter to stop fossil fuel infrastructure in New Brunswick, HERE.

Sign the letter from the Conservation Council of New Brunswick requesting a Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment for the project, HERE.

If you use Facebook, join the Stop The Tantramar Gas Plant! Facebook group, HERE. This group posts daily visuals of the realities of the destruction from the site. There are calls to protest onsite and many other ways to get involved / offer help through this page.

Read the article by CRED-NB core member Tom McLean, Yes, alternatives exist to more fossil gas in New Brunswick, HERE.

Invitation to sign Federal E-Petition: Centre Village Renewables Integration Security Grid Project

This invitation to sign a federal E-Petition is from Juliette Bulmer, a very concerned resident of Midgic, NB. Email: sjbulmer@eastlink.ca

Juliette is a CRED-NB Champion and one of the three organizers along with Terry Jones of Centre Village, NB and Kristen LeBlanc of Midgic, NB.

Invitation to sign Federal E-Petition: Centre Village Renewables Integration Security Grid Project

This is grassroots activism in action! It’s politics driven by people, not power. It’s about protecting our environment, demanding accountability, and refusing to be ignored.

Here is the online federal e-petition to the House of Commons in Parliament, demanding the federal government shut down the Centre Village Project. It was written and submitted by Kristen LeBlanc.

Presented to caucus by Saanich-Gulf Islands British Columbia MP Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada!! Please sign the petition and let’s get above and beyond the required 500 signatures. As this is a federal e-petition it is open to all Canadians until December18, 2025. In less than 24 hours there were over 225 signatures from 10 provinces and counting!!

Federal Petition Link with Details: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6738

A bit of background: On August 12, 2025, a Facebook group called STOP the Tantramar Gas Plant! was created and as of August 22, barely 10 DAYS later, it had over 555 dedicated members! This group is a space for community members who are concerned about the proposed Tantramar Natural Gas Power Plant, and want to take action to protect our region. The plant’s location would be along Route 940, in Centre Village, NB, which is part of the Tantramar area on the Chignecto Isthmus.

The Facebook page is a space to share information, organize events, build community, and raise our voices for a future that puts people and the planet first. All are welcome to work together to keep Tantramar clean, safe, and thriving for generations to come.

Text from Kristen LeBlanc:

We stand together in opposition to the gas plant for many reasons:

*Environmental Impact – The plant threatens local ecosystems, wetlands, wells, and wildlife that are vital to our region’s natural beauty and ecological health.

*Public Health Risks – Gas infrastructure can lead to air and water pollution, impacting the well-being of nearby residents — especially children, elders, and those with existing health conditions.

*Climate Crisis – Building new fossil fuel infrastructure is a step backward. We need to invest in clean, renewable energy that ensures a sustainable future for all.

*Community Values – This project does not reflect the priorities of Tantramar residents who value clean air, rural character, and democratic decision-making.

*Better Alternatives – There are smarter, cleaner ways to meet our energy needs — ones that create jobs without compromising our environment or health.

Here are all of the 271 comments submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) on the Gas Plant Project: https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/89719/contributions

For media coverage and additional information, see the links. This is just an example of much of the media coverage.

https://warktimes.com/ 5 comprehensive articles by Bruce Wark