The Keltic hearings

Day six, Antigonish

Company confident as hearings wrap up

“I only wish the development could’ve taken place four or five years ago. Four of my children have moved to Calgary.”
~ Antigonish warden Herb Delorey.

ANTIGONISH – The Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) hearings into the Keltic project ended on a mostly positive note last Saturday, with community support overshadowing concern, one very vocal detractor won over, and the company promising good environmental citizenship and regulatory adherence.
However, the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) remained highly critical. Chantal Gagnon, a previous presenter and regular speaker, delivered EAC’s third and final presentation of the week. Her slideshow was anchored in the Nova Scotia Government’s 2003 green plan, Towards a Sustainable Development. Gagnon said Keltic’s proposal is at loggerheads with the province’s vision for an environmentally-sound future.
She took particular issue with the company’s projected emission levels. On page 9-59 of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Keltic claims its project will account for “just over three per cent” of total annual greenhouse gas emissions in Nova Scotia. Gagnon said that number is unacceptably high, and that, with the bulk of workers likely to end up in Antigonish (about 80km away), projected commuter emissions should be studied.
“It’s not clear, so it’s assumed car emissions from all the commuting is not included in [the EIA],” she said.
Gagnon quoted a section of the green plan, entitled Energy Strategy, which calls for emissions to be reduced across the board.
“Basically this project, as you can see if you read the report, produces all these (emissions),” she said.
Gagnon also criticized the amount of water the project would use after the damming of Meadow Lake. Keltic has said the average life span of projects like its own, which is comprised of a petrochemical and liquid natural gas (LNG) plant, is about 35 years.
“Over a 35-year period, how much water will they be using?” she said. “Water is the most precious, sought-after resource around the world. The project does not fit with the goals and efforts of this province.”
Municipality of the District of Guysborough warden Lloyd Hines rebutted’s Gagnon’s comments. He said past industrial development in Point Tupper included bus services and “extensive” carpooling.
Steve Zwicker of Environment Canada was the final intervenor. He said his department believed more complete analyses should have been included in the EIA. Keltic spokesman Shawn Duncan repeated earlier comments that the EIA is as complete as the current stage of design allows.
Zwicker also agreed with Gagnon’s comments about air emissions.
“The proposed project will result in emissions that will impact the local air quality,” he said.
Zwicker also said that the proposed facility runs the risk of violating section 36(3) of the Fisheries Act, which prohibits the dumping of “deleterious” substances into fish habitats or waters used by fish.
Given the potentially dangerous nature of Keltic’s industrial mandate, Zwicker said emergency planning is “critical.”
Zwicker also spoke about Meadow Lake, the flooding of which will destroy 124 hectares of wetland. The project, Zwicker said, therefore affects migratory birds and their habitats, which could put it at odds with the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
One key element of lawful conduct regarding the act is the avoidance of certain activities during breeding season, including the modification of Meadow Lake water levels, which Keltic proposes to do.
Zwicker also mentioned the Species at Risk Act and referenced the Roseate Tern, an endangered bird found in huge numbers around the proposed site in Goldboro.
Zwicker was then questioned by Ben Chisholm, a business manager with the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Welders (union, Local 244 branch).
“Do you think (Keltic has) the ability and the will to meet standards?” Chisholm asked.
Zwicker said he hoped so.
Then – in a surprise reversal of earlier vehemence – Colin Negus, a lobster fisherman from Isaac’s Harbour, stood up and offered support for the project, providing he is compensated for any loss of his lobster stock.
Chisholm, meanwhile, handed pro-Keltic stickers to the EAB and the proponents before taking the microphone to say his workers are ready and eager to do the job. He also praised the project's cogeneration component, saying it might give Nova Scotia Power something to think about.
Antigonish warden Herb Delorey said council was working to expand that community’s infrastructure – including water facilities and housing capacity – in preparation for an influx of Keltic workers.
“I only wish the development could’ve taken place four or five years ago,” Delorey said. “Four of my children have moved to Calgary.
“I’ve always said probably the biggest export in Antigonish is education.”
Another member of the audience, local resident Anne Simpson, was concerned about the process.
“A lot of the questions I have can’t be answered at this time,” she said. “If there is an EIA done at this stage, it just seems a little early. Perhaps there should be two parts to this process.”
During his concluding presentation, Duncan took steps to outline Keltic’s future, including continuing community consultation. He also sought to relieve fears over health and safety, job training, waste management, mineral claims, heritage and compensation, making a few mentions of Negus in the process.
Duncan said Keltic would fully adhere to all regulations, as well as any recommendations made by the board.
“The presentations we’ve heard here clearly support what we’ve done in the EIA,” Duncan said. “We’re happy with the presentations we heard, even the negative ones. It’s good to understand all the positions.”
Dunn, meanwhile, described the hearings as “tremendous.”
EAB chair Tony Blouin would not tip his hand on any recommendations, nor would he say which presentation he found most interesting.
Intervenors and the proponent must file responses to unanswered questions by December 4.
Final arguments are expected from all participants by December 11. The EAB must submit its report and recommendation to the board by December 20, giving the minister 21 days to decide.
If approved, work must begin within two years.

INTERVENORS:
•Ecology Action Centre, Chantal Gagnon
•Environment Canada, Steve Zwicker

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