New Brunswick approves gas plant and reviews fracking ban

The New Brunswick government has granted conditional approval for a 500-megawatt natural gas plant intended to prevent rolling electricity blackouts within the next two years. The project, known as the Renewables Integration Grid Security project, involves U.S.-based ProEnergy installing 10 refurbished jet turbines in Tantramar. The facility will primarily burn natural gas imported from the United States via the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline, though it can switch to diesel if gas is unavailable. The province has mandated 45 conditions for the plant and limited gas usage to 17 per cent of the time.

In a related move toward energy autonomy, Premier Susan Holt has announced a public review of the province’s long-standing ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking). While Holt has historically opposed widespread shale gas fracking, she stated that the government is examining all options to boost the economy and secure energy independence amid escalating trade tensions with the United States. The review aims to determine if revisiting the 2014 moratorium on fracking could benefit New Brunswickers and support Canada’s broader energy goals.