SYDNEY, N.S. — The provincial regulator is asking the proponent behind a proposed LNG pipeline and terminal in Cape Breton whether it currently has an office in Nova Scotia, as required by regulations.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board sent a letter Monday to John Baguley, chief operating officer with Bear Head LNG, noting that, “It has recently come to the board’s attention that Bear Paw may not have an office in Nova Scotia.”
Bear Paw is the sister company in the project, which would operate the pipeline associated with the LNG terminal, to be located in Bear Head, Richmond County.
The letter, signed by board clerk Bruce Kiley, goes on to note that the Bear Paw pipeline benefits plan indicates that a local office will be established in Nova Scotia and a condition of the permit to construct requires the company to take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure the provisions of the approved benefits plan are carried out.
Kiley asked that the company confirm the existence and operating status of the local office.
“It has recently come to the board’s attention that Bear Paw may not have an office in Nova Scotia.” — Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
In an email, company spokesperson Micah Hirschfield told the Cape Breton Post that it does currently have an office in Nova Scotia and will communicate that to the board. He then directed to a listing of company offices on its website, which states that it has a location at Purdy’s Wharf Tower II on Upper Water Street in Halifax.
“The Bear Paw Pipeline project intends to remain fully compliant with the requirements of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board associated with the project and will file a response to the UARB accordingly,” Hirschfield wrote. “LNG Limited remains committed to securing the necessary gas supply and offtake for Bear Head LNG/Bear Paw Pipeline to enable our Final Investment Decision.”
Last month, Hirschfield said the project is not shutting down, in response to comments made by Inverness MLA Allan MacMaster questioning the future of the terminal. Hirschfield indicated that LNG Limited is committed and confident in its ability to deliver the project.
The MLA voiced his concerns after sister companies Bear Head LNG and Bear Paw Pipeline applied to the NSUARB to extend deadlines for construction permits associated with the projects.
Baguley wrote in that application that the site has been “negatively affected by changes in global energy market conditions since the initial permit approval.”
Hirschfield had said a recent decision was made to eliminate on-site consultants, which resulted in project management from industry experts at their Houston office.
The site sits on prime property that once belonged to taxpayers but has never been used. MacMaster indicated that part of the deal when the land was sold was that the project had to continue advancing or the provincial government could buy the property back.
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