New Brunswick ratepayers face a massive financial commitment with a new energy project. Opponents of a 500 megawatt gas and diesel power plant in the southeast region are taking the Energy and Utilities Board to court.

The Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition filed an application for judicial review with the New Brunswick Court of Appeal on June 26. They want the court to quash the board’s approval of the plant and order a new hearing. The court scheduled the hearing for Sept. 15. You can read the original details of the filing via CBC News.

Why Citizens Are Fighting the Approval

The coalition claims the board made an inadequate and incoherent decision. The court filing states the board failed to consider submissions from interveners and lacked procedural fairness. Gregor MacAskill filed the application on behalf of the coalition.

Lisa Griffin speaks for the coalition. She says the group wants the court to determine if the board properly reviewed the project.

“What we’re hoping is that we can win on the side of the ratepayer, win on the side of the process,” Griffin said.

Auditor General Finds Gaping Holes

The Energy and Utilities Board approved the NB Power 25 year contract with US based ProEnergy on May 28. The plan involves installing and running 10 gas and diesel turbines near Centre Village.

Shortly after the approval, New Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin released a highly critical report. He called the utility’s decision making haphazard. He noted a lack of documentation showing NB Power studied other options.

“There’s just gaping holes in this whole assessment and decision model taken,” Martin told MLAs.

Martin estimates the deal will cost NB Power at least $2.8 billion over the next 25 years.

NB Power Defends the Project

NB Power argues the province needs the plant to prevent an electricity supply shortfall. Utility CEO Lori Clark told a public accounts committee that building and owning the plant was not an option. She cited equipment shortages and a five year timeline that extends beyond the anticipated power shortfall.

The utility projects New Brunswick will face rotating blackouts if the project is not online by 2028. The plant will cover spikes in power demand during cold snaps and lulls in renewable energy generation.

Elizabeth Fraser McAllister speaks for NB Power. She stated the utility is aware of the application but declined to comment on specifics while the matter remains before the courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed power plant project?

The project is a 500 megawatt gas and diesel power plant located near Centre Village in southeast New Brunswick. NB Power signed a 25 year contract with ProEnergy to build and operate the facility.

Why is the coalition suing the Energy and Utilities Board?

The Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition alleges the board approval process lacked fairness. They claim the board ignored intervener submissions and made an incoherent decision.

How much will the new power plant cost?

New Brunswick Auditor General Paul Martin estimates the contract with ProEnergy will cost NB Power at least $2.8 billion over 25 years.

When will the court hear the case?

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal scheduled the hearing for Sept. 15.