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Proposed Keltic Liquefied Natural Gas Project
Environmental Assessment to Continue as a Comprehensive Study
OTTAWA, January 5, 2006 РThe Honourable St̩phane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, has determined that a comprehensive study process is the most appropriate level of environmental assessment for the proposed Keltic Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Nova Scotia.
The Minister based his decisions on the report and recommendations submitted by the responsible authorities (RA), Transport Canada (TC) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The report contains information on the scope of the proposed elements of the project; the factors to be considered in each department's environmental assessment; public concerns submitted to authorities; the potential of the project to cause adverse environmental effects; and the ability of the comprehensive study process to address issues relating to the elements of the project to be studied by each department.
TC and DFO will now continue their respective comprehensive studies, and submit their final report to the Minister of the Environment. At that time, the public will have an opportunity to provide comments on the findings and recommendations of each RA's report before the Minister renders his final decision.
"The comprehensive study process will address the specific concerns raised by the public, business groups and local government regarding shipping, and safety in the area of the proposed project," said Minister Dion. "I look forward to receiving the results of the comprehensive studies."
Two different comprehensive studies are being undertaken in a single cooperative process by TC and DFO. TC has determined that the scope of the environmental assessment will be the construction, operation, maintenance, modification and decommissioning of the LNG terminal, marine transfer pipelines, LNG storage tanks, marginal wharf and the re-gasification plant. The scope also includes any temporary marine facilities and structures and equipment that are connected with the movement of goods between ships and shore and shipping within 25 km of Country Island. DFO's environmental assessment will focus on the construction and operation of the marginal wharf. Operation of the marginal wharf does not include shipping, but does include docking and de-berthing of vessels.
Keltic Petrochemicals Inc. proposes to construct and operate a petrochemical complex and LNG importation and vapourization facility in Goldboro, Nova Scotia. The development proposal includes petrochemical plants; a marginal wharf; an LNG terminal, LNG storage and regasification facilities; and an electrical co-generation facility. The development proposal also includes construction of a highway between the development site and Antigonish.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment in order to coordinate the participation of federal departments.
A copy of the report on which the Minister based his decision can be obtained by contacting:
Mike Freeman
Environmental Officer
Transport Canada
Tel.: (506) 851-6962
E-mail: freemam@tc.gc.ca
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The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
For more information on this project and others in your area, please consult theCanadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 05-03-10471. Follow the direct link on the home page of the Agency's Web site.
For more information, media may call:
Gordon Harris
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: (613) 957-0825
E-mail: gordon.harris@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
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