Description

On 26 October 2023, Nova Scotia Power Inc registered the NS-NB Reliability Intertie Project, Cumberland and Colchester Counties for environmental assessment, in accordance with Part IV of the Environment Act.

Nova Scotia Power Inc (NSPI) is proposing to construct a new 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line twinning an existing line to the New Brunswick border ("the Project"). L8006 will traverse approximately 96 kilometres (km) from Onslow, Nova Scotia, to the New Brunswick border. The route will parallel L8001, an existing 345 kV transmission line, and this new transmission line will be strung on separate steel towers located in a parallel corridor. This section of new transmission line Right-of-Way (RoW) corridor in Nova Scotia will be 96 km long and 38.1 metres (m) wide and is part of a longer line called the NS-NB Reliability Intertie. This line will extend from the Nova Scotia provincial border to Memramcook and then Salisbury; those segments will fall under New Brunswick's permitting process. This second interconnection to New Brunswick is intended to assist NSPI in meeting provincial renewable energy targets, balance wind generation, and strengthen grid connectivity.

The project will also require substation modifications at 67N-Onslow to accommodate the new line termination. These modifications include a pad expansion, the addition of electrical equipment, and associated protection and control equipment.

The proposed Project will require tree clearing, site preparation, heavy equipment operation, site security, and assembly and installation of the steel structures. For construction, it is anticipated that various temporary facilities will be required including the temporary installation of bridging and matting for watercourse and wetland crossings, temporary marshalling and laydown yards, temporary access roads/trails, pull sites, and where required, improvements to existing access roads/trails. Material for access construction/maintenance will be stored or disposed of in accordance with regulations and best practices. Material stored on site will be accompanied with appropriate erosion and sedimentation control measures or reused.

Minister's Decision

On 15 December 2023, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change released a decision (PDF) concerning this review. The Minister has decided to approve the undertaking in accordance with Section 13(1)b of the Environmental Assessment Regulations, pursuant to Part IV of the Environment Act. The undertaking has been approved subject to a number of conditions (PDF).   

Project Documents

• Minister's Decision, Approval (PDF)
• Conditions (PDF)
• Comments EA Registration (PDF)
• Public Notice (PDF)

Registration

• NS-NB Reliability Intertie Project EA Registration Cover Letter (PDF)
• NS-NB Reliability Intertie Project EA Registration Document (PDF)
• Appendix A - Part 1 (PDF)
• Appendix A - Part 2 (PDF)
• Appendix B (PDF)
• Appendix C - Part 1 (PDF)
• Appendix C - Part 2 (PDF)
• Appendix C - Part 3 (PDF)
• Appendix C - Part 4 (PDF)
• Appendix C - Part 5 (PDF)
• Appendix D (PDF)
• Appendix E (PDF)
• Appendix F (PDF)
• Appendix G - Part 1 (PDF)
• Appendix G - Part 2 (PDF)
• Appendix H (PDF)
• Appendix I (PDF)
• Appendix J (PDF)
• Appendix K (PDF)
• Mi'kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (PDF)

Opportunities for Public Input

Public comments on the Registration were accepted until 25 November 2023.

All comments received from the public consultation will be posted on the department's website for public viewing. In the case of an individual, the address, email and contact information will be removed before being placed on the website.