Community-based committee to advise on green energy growth at Belledune

BELLEDUNE, NB: A new community-led advisory committee has been appointed to explore opportunities and challenges related to green energy developments at the Port of Belledune. 

The Community Workforce Development Committee will provide a forum for information sharing and feedback with a focus on opportunities identified by the Belledune Port Authority (BPA)  and Northern New Brunswick’s transition to clean energy. 

The committee, co-chaired by Roger Clinch and Betty-Ann Fortin will also identify economic impacts and opportunities for the region, plan for jobs and training, engage in community outreach, and make recommendations that will support a clean-energy industrial transition for the region.  

“We are committed to working with our community, including rights holders, to ensure people are informed and engaged with the vision and projects planned at the Port,” said CEO Denis Caron. “We look forward to sharing our plan, exploring opportunities and challenges together, while ensuring concerns are heard and benefits are shared.”  

This committee includes members from the Restigouche, Chaleur and Acadian Peninsula regions, and the Mi’gmaq communities of Pabineau and Eel River Bar, along with representatives from the provincial government and BPA. 

Funding for the committee is provided by the Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and the BPA. 

“Over the next few decades, the Port is poised to change dramatically which will require significant planning and collaboration,” said the Minister Responsible for the Regional Development Corporation Réjean Savoie. “We’re pleased to support the launch of this committee that will bring various community stakeholders together and will be crucial to the future development of the region.”

Minister Savoie was speaking on behalf of Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) Arlene Dunn. 

The committee will meet quarterly for the next 18 months and report publicly on its activities. It will sponsor public events to ensure community participation. 

Committee Co-Chairs

Betty-Ann Fortin

Born and raised in Restigouche, Betty-Ann has built a 25-year career driving economic growth and prosperity in her community. She is known as a conscientious and responsible leader who gets results. Since 2013, she has served in senior leadership positions with the Restigouche Regional Service Commission, including her current role as CEO. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of Enterprise Restigouche. Fluently bilingual, Betty-Ann holds a Certified Economic Development Designation (Ec.D.) from the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC), University of Waterloo.

 

 

Roger Clinch

Lifelong Bathurst resident Roger Clinch has dedicated his life to public service and industry leadership. He has served his community as Mayor, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary. He built a 25-year career in leadership positions with Xstrata Zinc before retiring as manager of Xstrata Zinc, Ireland. Roger is also a proud graduate of St. Thomas University and the Universite de Moncton.

More about the Community Workforce Development Committee

Port Tariffs Notice of Fee Revision

The Belledune Port Authority (BPA) wishes to advise of an increase in tariff charges at the Port of Belledune. Any activity (primarily of a vessel or cargo operation) within the area managed by the BPA is subject to BPA’s tariffs (fees).

Notice of Fee Revision _Avis de révision tarifaire 1 janvier 2024

$1M federal investment supports development of Green Energy Hub

The Belledune Port Authority is launching a series of studies to identify site requirements for the development of its Green Energy Hub, a specialized development district welcoming green energy projects and complementary, low-carbon industries.

The pre-feasibility studies are supported by a $1M investment from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced October 16, 2023 by the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Canada’s Minister of Rural Development and Minister responsible for the ACOA, Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs.

The priority project funding is included in a joint policy statement that lays out a series of collaborative projects in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to help enable the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 and the drive to net-zero electricity by 2035.

“Atlantic Canada is a great place to live, work and invest,” said Hutchings. “Today’s agreement will help Nova Scotia and New Brunswick transition from coal to renewable electricity, securing jobs and protecting our region’s competitive advantage for the next generation.”

The list of New Brunswick projects include $2 million in federal funding to explore the feasibility of converting NB Power’s Belledune Generating Station from coal to sustainably sourced biomass, and $7 million to support pre-development of ARC Clean Technology Canada’s small modular reactor at Point Lepreau, NB.

“Northern New Brunswick and the Port of Belledune are proud to play a significant role in Canada’s green energy transition,” said Denis Caron, BPA President and CEO. “These critical investments will advance our plan to develop sustainable industries fuelled by renewable energy in Belledune, laying the groundwork for a prosperous, fossil-free future for our communities.”

The Green Energy Hub site studies will determine the Port’s capacity to develop various clean energy and manufacturing projects by evaluating source water and infrastructure readiness. This due diligence work will provide a measured and objective approach to identifying green energy projects for development at the BPA.

“Canada will move away from coal by 2030, but the people we’ll never leave behind are the workers and communities in the regions that will gradually have to move toward carbon neutrality,” said Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst Serge Cormier. “These investments in Belledune will help our communities diversify their economies, create jobs and prepare the future for generations to come.”

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