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Letters to the Community: Gas Plant Fiasco

26/8/2025

Time for NB Power to Put Canada First:  The Tantramar Gas Plant Fiasco Demands Answers & Transparency Submitted by: Derek Lackey

As NB Power faces a "comprehensive review," their American-first energy decisions look even worse. In fact, all of their decisions should be questioned.

While New Brunswick ratepayers grapple with soaring electricity bills and NB Power projects "significant future rate increases that are creating affordability challenges,"¹ the utility's leadership continues making decisions that prioritize American interests over Canadian ones. The July 14th award of a 25-year, 400 MW gas plant contract to Missouri-based ProEnergy, despite five Canadian firms submitting competitive bids, now looks even more troubling against the backdrop of an ongoing trade war.² My mentor, Robert H. Lane has always said “Follow the money - find the truth”. Our local reporters need to dig in here.

Local Actions Matter on a Global Scale: NB Power's Gas Plant Proposed for Centre-Village on the Chignecto Isthmus

26/8/2025

Submitted by Deborah Carr, Albert County Resident

I want to share the letter I submitted on NB Power's gas plant proposed for Centre-Village on the Chignecto Isthmus. In this time of wildfires and heat, drought and dangerous air quality, political strife and polarization, wars and genocides, it's easy to overlook projects that do not seem to affect us directly. We're all carrying a lot of weight these days.

But, as I point out in my letter, we are all connected and our actions have long-lasting impacts. People can enjoy watching the miracle of the shorebirds at Dorchester and Mary's Point right now because protective measures were taken long ago to secure a critical stop along the route of travel for millions of these species. They are a perfect example of how local actions matter on a global scale. Here's my letter:

Enough with "Business as Usual" at the Expense of Canadians

1/8/2025

Submitted by: Derek Lackey, Lackey Agency, www.LACKEY.agency/[email protected]

On July 14, 2025, NB Power awarded a 25-year, 400 MW power-purchase contract—with the option to extend—to ProEnergy. ProEnergy is a subsidiary of a Missouri‑based U.S. company and has been given the contract, to build, own, and operate a fossil gas plant in Tantramar, NB, even though five Canadian firms submitted bids. Let that sink in: amid ridiculous tariffs and ever-strained cross‑border trade relations, especially under Trump‑era rhetoric, NB Power chose an American provider over Canadian competitors. That reeks of either gross incompetence or a blatant disregard for Canadian sovereignty and local industry.

An American Project on Canadian Soil for 25 Years
The deal locks New Brunswick into U.S.-sourced fracked gas for the next quarter‑century. All while Canadian companies, presumably with better knowledge of local supply chains and regulations, were passed over. This isn’t just a business decision, it’s a political and moral fail. Local Green MLA Megan Mitton calls it a contradiction: “we’re in an economic war with the U.S., yet our government signed a deal with an American firm.” Tantramar Mayor Andrew Black blasted NB Power for blind-siding locals with no prior consultation or discussion before the announcement. ProEnergy’s own environmental impact filing estimates up to 900,000 tonnes/year of GHG emissions—but only calls it “worst-case” while NB Power claims a typical 100,000 tonnes/year. That gulf is nine times higher and shouldn’t just raise eyebrows; it demands a full reckoning. Meanwhile, the facility threatens sensitive Chignecto Isthmus wetlands, critical wildlife corridors, and local groundwater (nearly 7,000 m³/day draw) without adequate consultation with experts like those at the Atlantic Wildlife Institute.

What’s Worse: Ratepayers Sealed the Deal
Can you believe NB Power won’t disclose how much this will cost consumers? The company crows that ProEnergy’s bid was the “least‑cost solution” that met the 2028 deadline, but ratepayers have zero transparency.

Canadians Deserve Better
This fiasco reeks of broken promises and failed priorities. Canada‑first? Not when U.S. firms get the contracts and locals are kept in the dark. Renewable integration? Hardly, this is fossil infrastructure masquerading as “transition.” Protecting provincial sovereignty? More like outsourcing.

It’s Time We Demand:

A public disclosure of why every Canadian bidder was rejected.
A thorough review of the supposed cost‑competitiveness.
Local and Indigenous consultation that wasn’t done quietly after-the-fact.
Commitment to explore local, or at least Canadian ownership, and renewable alternatives.

We will cough up the power bills. It’s only fair we see the full picture. Why were Canadian companies kicked aside? Why does U.S. fracked gas gets priority? Why no one, or no in accountability, is putting New Brunswickers first?

NB Power, provincial authorities, Premier Holt: this is not leadership. It’s surrender.

Please sign the petition to stop this from happening: chng.it/B5tyRwnJbc

References: greencaucusvert.ca/tantramar-gas-plant-eia-must-include-robust-public-consultation-and- expert-review theregional.com/green-politican-alarmed-that-big-gas-plant-will-be-built-in-her-riding ca.news.yahoo.com/big-emissions-estimate-worst-case-090000189.html theregional.com/green-politican-alarmed-that-big-gas-plant-will-be-built-in-her-riding warktimes.com chmafm.com/welcome/gas-fired-power-plant-announced-for-rural-tantramar-environment al-impact-assessment-underway

Vandalism at Railway Museum: Community Help Needed

29/5/2025

Image of train and train station from www.facebook.com/NBrailwaymuseum

Submitted by: David Briggs, Board Member, New Brunswick Railway Museum

I have been involved with the local New Brunswick Railway Museum now for over 4 years. I am currently on the board along with a few others. The main reason I became involved is I have a huge passion in preserving our past and our heritage.

The NB Railway Museum is a non profit organization run by mainly volunteers all year round and local area students during the summer months and a few weekends during the fall. We also are open for group bookings, special events, meetings or functions. It relies heavily on support from many local area organizations, local volunteers, donations and some government funding.

Never did I think I would see what is happening now...

28/2/2025

Dear friends, former students, colleagues, business operators and all who love Albert County:

I spent my youth in the rich natural culture of the Demoiselle Creek Valley here in Albert County. My memories are filled with pictures of swimming in and skating on the creek, exploring the many brooks that fed the creek and experiencing the many activities of a family who lived and loved the land.

In later years, after 27 years of teaching, I have been working on the land near the marshes and the powerful tides, and entertaining visitors who are amazed by our tides. Since my first seminar on Climate Change in 1970, I have conveyed concerns about what is happening on our earth.

Tips from a reader in response to the Village of Fundy Albert Information regarding registering your dogs using Docupet...

28/2/2025

Hi, I read your news and I always enjoy it.

I have been using docupet for years. You actually get 1 - $20 for Ren's Pets in Dieppe and 1 - $20 for Global Pets. I get two of each for 2 dogs.

It also gives you a free tag. You end up getting a free licence (coupons are worth more than the cost of the license). - Lynn Thebeau

Letter from the Chair of Connecting Albert County

30/1/2025

Submitted by: Heather Alward, CAC Board of Directors Chair

As the current Chair of Connecting Albert County, I applaud the talents that have put their efforts into building this publication into what it is. From the moment I had heard that there was such a way to keep Albert County connected I was in complete support of it as I felt that the four communities representing Albert County fell short on communication with each other in the past.

I have volunteered on the board for half of the time Connecting Albert County has been around. In answering the call for volunteers, I started out by adding events into the calendar, being a board member and then by taking on the position of Chair; all the while I was learning a lot about this publication. I’ve always had interest in the many qualities that Albert County has to offer. Whether you are in Alma or Lower Coverdale or back in Elgin, we have the history, tourism and family connections to keep us all sitting around a table talking together for hours.

As the community comes together and supports our little publication it will grow to become a needed fixture in our home. As my five years are up and it’s time for me to move on to other interests, I know Connecting Albert County will be here for the extended future and will see even more challenges than we did in the last 10 years. So here’s to hard work, a great publication and a community of inspiring people.

Congratulations on year 10!

News from the New Brunswick Senior Citizens’ Federation In Memory of Percy Huntington

23/12/2024

Image of Percy Huntington provided by NBSCF

Submitted by: Lise Guignard, Office Manager  

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Percy Huntington, current Past President and a devoted and longtime member of the New Brunswick Senior Citizens Federation (NBSCF). Percy’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for seniors across New Brunswick shone brightly through his decades of dedicated service, where he made a lasting impact on both the organization and the broader community.

Percy, a resident of Upper Salmon Creek, first joined the Minto Senior Citizens’ Club in 1993. He quickly became a valued leader, taking on the role of Vice-President in 2003 and President in 2004. His engagement with the NBSCF grew from there; Percy served as Chairperson of the Transportation Committee in 2005 and 2007, and later, as Chairperson of both the Ways and Means and Nominating Committees in 2007. His leadership extended to the 55+ Games, where he served as President from 2008 to 2015 and continued as Past-President on the Committee thereafter.

Get to Know a CAC Volunteer!

23/12/2024

June Crandall is the Elgin Seniors Club President, Elgin WI Secretary/Treasurer, Elgin Eco Association Membership Director, and Friends of Jordon Life Care Center Board Member. She grew up in Elgin Parish and attended Elgin Elementary School and Petitcodiac Regional High School (now Petitcodiac Regional School) graduating in 1971. She moved to the US over 44 years ago and has two children and four grandchildren.

Letter From Fundy Albert Mayor

23/12/2024

<<Previous

opinions, Letters, and
reflections

Letters to the Community: Gas Plant Fiasco

Local Actions Matter on a Global Scale: NB Power's Gas Plant Proposed for Centre-Village on the Chignecto Isthmus

Enough with "Business as Usual" at the Expense of Canadians

Vandalism at Railway Museum: Community Help Needed

Never did I think I would see what is happening now...

Tips from a reader in response to the Village of Fundy Albert Information regarding registering your dogs using Docupet...

Letter from the Chair of Connecting Albert County

News from the New Brunswick Senior Citizens’ Federation In Memory of Percy Huntington

Get to Know a CAC Volunteer!

Letter From Fundy Albert Mayor

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