Environmental Assessment Approved for Liquified Natural Gas Terminal

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Environmental Assessment Approved for Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal

Government has approved an application from Access Northeast Energy Incorporated to construct and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Bear Head, Richmond Co., on the Strait of Canso.

Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash said the approval has been granted under strict conditions and is just the first in a number of approvals that are required before the company can operate.

Under provincial regulations, the project was required to go through a Class 1 Environmental Assessment because it includes a storage facility with a total storage capacity of more than 5,000 cubic metres for a liquid or gaseous substance.

The proposal includes three main components: a marine terminal; land based storage tanks; and a land-based regasification area. Regasification is the process by which liquified gas is converted back to a gaseous state prior to transmission through the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline.

Terms and conditions of the project address issues such as storm water management, air quality controls, and the development of emergency spill contingency plans. The company will also be required to submit a wetland protection and mitigation plan, as well as a monitoring plan for the protection of the Southern Twayblade (Listera australis) -- a rare species of orchid.

The Department of Environment and Labour's decision is available on its website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla or at any Environment and Labour office.