Underground natural gas storage is highly regulated and requires many permits, licenses and approvals from provincial and federal authorities.
Decommissioning
In October 2021, we announced the decision to decommission the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project. We submitted our plan for decommissioning to the Province of Nova Scotia, and on August 23, 2022 we received approval to proceed with decommissioning.
NEW - Alton Decommissioning Schedule – December 2022 (PDF 3.9MB)
Read the Industrial Approval for Decommissioning (PDF 98KB)
Read the decommissioning plan (PDF 6MB)
Read the appendices to the decommissioning plan (PDF 6MB)
The appendices include examples of similar decommissioning projects
Read the decommissioning plan (with appendices included) (PDF 26MB)
Read the decommissioning plan Q & A (PDF 132KB)
On February 7, 2022, we applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) for approval to decommission the wells drilled for the project. Full details of our application can be found on the NSUARB website, where you click on “Matters & Evidence” and “Go To Files & Documents.” When the new page opens, in the search box under “Go Directly to Matter,” enter M10447. Note the NSUARB considers matters related to public safety only. Its mandate does not include environmental matters.
The NSUARB has approved our plan to decommission the wells in a decision June 17, 2022. (PDF 257KB)
Environmental Assessments
Following extensive studies and consultation, Nova Scotia Environment issued two Environmental Assessment (EA) approvals for the Alton project.
Documents
Industrial Approval
On January 21, 2016 the Government of Nova Scotia announced regulatory approvals for Alton Natural Gas Storage, including an industrial approval (IA) to operate the brine storage pond. On April 8, 2019, the Government of Nova Scotia issued an amended approval with additional conditions to operate at the river site. The issuance of the IA was appealed to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court by Sipekne’katik First Nation. A Court decision on March 24, 2020 set aside the IA and ordered an additional 120 days of Crown consultation between the Province of Nova Scotia and Sipekne’katik First Nation. Alton is abiding by the Court decision and only care and maintenance activities will take place at the river site during this period. Alton will also continue to comply with any direction by the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment during this period.
Documents
Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
On November 14, 2018, Alton applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) for an extension to the Approval to Construct the natural gas storage caverns to 2023. On March 11, 2019 the UARB released its decision on the application, granting the extension request.