SARAH WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Enbridge Gas is proposing an expansion project in Cherry Valley. The details of this project were presented to Prince Edward County Council during the February 28th meeting by Sonia Fazari, Senior Advisor of Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement, Lianne Seguin, Project Manager, Sean Kramer, Construction Specialist, Kelsey Mills, Environmental Specialist and Mike Cooney, Operations Supervisor.

Currently, Enbridge has opened an ongoing, virtual consultation session that will close on March 7, 2023.

The proposed pipeline would span 14 kilometres and will accommodate approximately 198 new residential and commercial customers. There is also the potential for building a new distribution station. Fazari noted the required permits include those from the municipality as well as Quinte Conservation.

“This list (of permits) might expand as we work through planning and development,” said Fazari.

Environmental assessment for this project is currently underway, with plans to incorporate concerns and issues brought forward from the virtual consultation.

The environmental assessment report is expected to be complete by the end of March, 2023. Enbridge is also in the midst of the first archaeological assessment. There will also be a cultural heritage checklist as part of the environmental report.

Mills pointed to concern about Waring’s Creek Watershed and explained  there will be mitigation measures in place to try to limit environmental degradation.

“We’re trying to pick the least impactful route. We look to identify any watercourse features, including regulated and unregulated- we identify wetlands, marshes etc.,” Mills explained. “We will look at what type of features are on the proposed route and possible mitigation measures to protect these features.”

Fazari also assured council the relevant Indigenous communities have been informed of the pipeline expansion and, to date, no concerns from them have been tabled. They will also be provided with the environmental report for review and comment.

Athol Councillor Sam Branderhorst inquired as to how the need for a new distribution centre would be assessed.

“How is the need for a new station determined? By need? If so, how much? Will there be public engagement regarding where this might be built,” she inquired.

Fazari confirmed the station would be built on need, though did not provide specific details of this.

“The need is typically based on load requirements. We’re connecting to existing infrastructure. As we connect and add more load, you do sometimes need a station to make sure that capacity is maintained,” stated Fazari. “We look at size and infrastructure and usually we try to put it as close as possible to the tie in point. Then, we get in touch with land owners to see if anyone is interested in providing that land.”

Ultimately, if all goes according to plan, Enbridge hopes to be servicing clients as of the second quarter of 2024.