• Rally urges New Brunswick government to rethink energy plans

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-20 20:56:59.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure, Technology]

  Protesters rallied outside the New Brunswick Legislature during the reading of the speech from the throne to oppose government energy and industrial plans, including the proposed Tantramar gas plant, Lorneville data centres, Sisson mine, and the potential re-opening of fracking. Advocates, including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Save Lorneville group, raised concerns over pollution, public health risks, and an increased strain on utility provider NB Power, noting one proposed artificial intelligence data centre would draw 200 megawatts. In response, Premier Susan Holt stated that her government will enforce stringent draft policy conditions requiring projects to demonstrate no negative impacts on water resources or energy rates alongside clear community benefits before receiving approval.

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• New Brunswick data centre debate highlights cross-country tension over AI facilities

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-19 11:49:46.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy]

  New Brunswick Crown-owned electric utility NB Power has received 10 confidential applications from data centre projects requiring up to 900 megawatts of power, sparking cross-country tension and citizen opposition. Notable proposals include a $2 billion artificial intelligence hub by Beacon Data Centers and VoltaGrid featuring a 400-megawatt data centre in Saint John, a $2.7 billion, 375-megawatt proposal by Faster Than Light in Fredericton, and a 50-megawatt campus proposal by U.S. firm Cross River Infrastructure Partners. While the provincial government works on a data centre policy framework to spur economic growth and tax revenue, grassroots groups like Save Lorneville are demanding a moratorium due to environmental and power grid concerns.

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• New Brunswick gets $219 million loan from Ottawa for hydroelectric dam repair work

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-13 17:06:33.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, National, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Climate]

  The federal government announced nearly $270 million in funding for New Brunswick energy facilities, featuring a $219 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank for the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project and a $50 million grant to upgrade the Salisbury Terminal near Moncton. The funding supports technical studies, regulatory reviews, and planning to extend the 672-megawatt Mactaquac Generating Station's operational life to 2068, counteracting concrete swelling caused by alkali-aggregate reactions. NB Power officials stated that the total project cost is projected to approach $9 billion, while the federal government emphasizes the investment's alignment with Ottawa's net-zero electricity grid goals by 2050.

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• 2nd potential AI data centre worries Saint John residents: ‘We have questions’

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-05 20:52:15.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Municipal, Energy, Technology, Environment, Infrastructure]

  Residents in Saint John, New Brunswick, represented by the advocacy group Save Lorneville, are raising concerns over a second proposed large-scale artificial intelligence data centre following the revelation of plans by U.S.-based Cross River Infrastructure Partners. The proposed project has initially requested 50 megawatts of network-firm power through correspondence with Opportunities New Brunswick, adding to ongoing public scrutiny over an already proposed 390-megawatt data centre and gas plant at the Spruce Lake Industrial Park by VoltaGrid and Beacon Data Centers. Local advocates and residents have cited a lack of updated regulatory frameworks, unknown impacts on municipal water and electrical grid capacity, and potential risks to greenhouse gas emissions and public health.

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• N.B. utility secures wood pellet supply deal to transition only coal power plant

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-17 16:18:12.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure]

  NB Power has signed supply agreements with Canadian sustainably sourced wood and agricultural hemp pellet suppliers to provide the majority of the biomass fuel required for the Belledune Generating Station. The contracts enable the Crown-owned utility to advance equipment upgrades and transition the coal-fired power plant to a renewable fuel source in compliance with the goal to phase out coal by 2030.

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• New Brunswick wants public feedback on data centre plan

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-01 19:55:48.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Environment, Infrastructure]

  The New Brunswick government is seeking public feedback until October 2 on a draft data centre policy designed to prevent electricity rate spikes and minimize environmental impacts while supporting Canadian artificial intelligence development. The provincial consultation coincides with a regulatory review of the proposed 390-megawatt Spruce Lake AI Hub located west of Saint John, which was pitched by Beacon Data Centres and VotaGrid.

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• New Brunswick gives green light for 500 MW gas plant, subject to conditions

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-08-28 15:29:11.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Environment, Infrastructure]

  The New Brunswick government has granted conditional approval for the 500-megawatt Renewables Integration Grid Security natural gas plant in Tantramar, N.B., built by U.S.-based ProEnergy. NB Power has secured a 25-year contract to utilize the facility—which features 10 refurbished jet turbines running on the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline—to prevent rolling blackouts and backstop weather-dependent renewables. Environment Minister Gilles LePage stated that ProEnergy must comply with 45 strict conditions covering air and water quality monitoring, emergency management, and wildlife tracking, with the plant restricted to burning natural gas no more than 17 per cent of the time. Additionally, Nova Scotia's energy operator has entered into a 10-year agreement to purchase 100 megawatts of power from the facility, which is scheduled to begin operations by 2028.

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