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:
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
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.
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
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