Province Makes Decision on Road Shoulders

PETROLEUM DIRECTORATE/TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Province Makes Decision on Road Shoulders

The Nova Scotia government has decided it will not allow high- pressure gas pipelines under the shoulders of provincial highways except in extenuating circumstances.

The decision was announced today by Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell after months of study and consultation with other provinces.

"We’ve taken a very careful look at this issue and concluded that it would be impractical, both from an operational and financial perspective, to allow high-pressure pipes in highway road shoulders," said Mr. Russell. "It just doesn’t make sense to put pipelines in such locations when less disruptive alternatives are possible."

The province will work with Sempra Atlantic Gas to find solutions that will help Sempra proceed with a plan for the distribution of natural gas in Nova Scotia. Transportation and Public Works will work with the company on the placement of high-pressure pipelines. The province will allow low-pressure pipelines in road shoulders.

Sempra has informed government that a combination of market conditions and the need to develop a new strategy to reach local markets means it needs to revise its distribution plan.

"Current market prices are making plans to expand natural gas distribution difficult all across North America," said Petroleum Directorate Minister Gordon Balser. " We understand the challenges facing Sempra, but we believe the market conditions are temporary and the long term prospects for natural gas use in Nova Scotia remain positive."