Nova Scotia·NewNova Scotia’s energy operator visited Pictou County this week to get local feedback on its pitch to build a new natural gas power plant — or two — in rural parts of the county. The response was varied. Energy operator says new natural gas generators are needed as coal plants retire and renewables ramp upTaryn Grant · CBC News · Posted: Nov 14, 2025 1:02 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The power plant in Trenton, N.S., and other coal-fired generators have to stop burning coal by 2030. New natural gas power plants are meant to help replace them. (Brian MacKay/CBC)Nova Scotia’s energy operator visited Pictou County this week to get local feedback on its pitch to build a new natural gas power plant — or two — in rural parts of the county.The response was varied, with some putting their full support behind a project that they see as a fix to an unreliable energy grid and a job generator. Others are pushing back, concerned the operations will drain groundwater reserves and disrupt their bucolic lifestyle. The Independent Energy System Operator, or IESO, has said it needs the fast-acting power generators to replace coal-fired power plants, which have to be retired by 2030. Plus, it said it needs a backup power source to prevent outages as more wind and solar power comes online.Put another way, wind and solar plants produce energy intermittently, and the grid needs fast-acting backup power to fill in the gaps.“I think it’s a great thing,” local resident John McLeod said in an interview at one of the IESO’s public information sessions this week.The IESO hosted sessions in Salt Springs and Marshdale, where the plants might be built. The sites were identified because of their proximity to an existing natural gas pipeline and power lines.A map shows the proposed location for a fast-acting natural gas power plant in the community of Salt Springs, N.S. (IESO)McLeod said he sees the project as necessary for improving the power grid, and an economic boon for Pictou County.“That’s a plus here because you don’t [have] many jobs being created here in this area,” he said.The IESO says each plant could create between 100 and 125 jobs during construction and between 10 and 15 jobs during operations.But Holly Irons, another local resident, said she’s disappointed and worried.“I don’t want it,” said Irons, who lives about a kilometre from the proposed site in Salt Springs, in an interview at the same session.Water usageHer primary concern is that the project will impact her well. The IESO says a 300-megawatt fast-acting generator requires a volume of water that’s equivalent to what’s used by 750 average rural households.IESO project manager Aaron Long told CBC News they’ll drill deeper than most residential wells, tapping into separate aquifers. He said the plant operator would help find a remedy if wells are impacted.A map shows the proposed location for a fast-acting natural gas power station in the community of Marshdale, N.S. (IESO)That’s little comfort to Irons, who said she cherishes her well for its quality and reliability, even through this summer’s drought.“I don’t want the municipal water coming in to give me water while they take our beautiful well water that I love so dearly.”The planThe IESO is doing some preliminary work on the projects, including field work to make an application for environmental assessment by the province. It has also signed options to purchase and lease the required land. It will later hand over the reins to a private developer.The IESO plans to open bids in the new year for a contract to build and operate the plant, or plants. Long said the winning bidder will pay the full cost of construction, which he estimates to be about $800 million for one 300-megawatt plant.Long said he knows a project of this scale is “a big change,” for a rural community, which is why the IESO visited both proposed areas this week for open house sessions.“The organization is committed to transparency and openness,” he said. “And that extends just beyond the regulatory sphere.”Long said the IESO will soon set up a community liaison committee to keep an ongoing dialogue with locals.The local MLA said he’ll be keeping tabs as well.”It’s important to have events like this so people can be heard,” said Progressive Conservative MLA Marco MacLeod. “And I need to keep a clear line of communication open with the constituents to know why we’re doing this and how we’re doing this.”MORE TOP STORIES ABOUT THE AUTHORTaryn Grant covers daily news for CBC Nova Scotia, with a particular interest in housing and homelessness, education, and health care. You can email her with tips and feedback at taryn.grant@cbc.ca
High hopes, deep concerns: Pictou County residents weigh in on new power plant
