Milltown Decommissioning
Project Background
In 2017/18, NB Power examined the possibility of extending the life of the Milltown Generating Station. After a vigorous engineering and cost estimating process, the project was deemed not financially feasible.
NB Power undertook the Milltown Decommissioning Project and initiated the necessary steps to receive approvals to proceed.
In 2022, the Milltown Project reached a number of significant milestones
- in February, the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government (NBDELG) issued the Certificate of Determination to proceed with the Project
- in May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a general permit and authorization to proceed
- in June, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) issued approval subject to conditions, and all applicable standards and regulations
Full decommissioning is expected to start in the summer of 2023 with Pennecon Heavy Civil Limited, our general contractor with over 50 years of operating history.
This is a complex project, and the first removal of a dam in international waters. We want to ensure we meet all of the regulatory conditions required and deliver the Milltown Decommissioning project in the most cost-effective, efficient and safest manner possible.
Benefits of the Proposed Decommissioning
- Decommissioning the Milltown Generating Station and removing the dam will allow for the restoration of approximately 16 kilometres of the St. Croix River. This will make about five million square metres of spawning habitat available to the various sea-run (diadromous) fish species.
- Decommissioning the Milltown Generating Station and removing the dam will open the area on the St. Croix River for potential recreational and traditional uses.
- The Milltown Generating Station accounts for 0.8 per cent of NB Power’s hydro generation, so there will not be a major impact on the overall New Brunswick power grid resulting from the decommissioning.
Proposed Project Schedule
PROJECT ACTIVITIES | TIMELINES |
---|---|
Engagement with First Nations and Stakeholders | Summer 2019 and ongoing throughout the project |
Community Liaison Committee meetings | Spring 2020 and ongoing throughout the project |
New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government approval | Received February 2022 |
US Army Corps of Engineers approval | Received May 2022 |
Maine Department of Environmental Protection approval | Received June 2022 |
Design optimization and planning | Fall/Winter 2022 |
Decommissioning activities commence | Summer 2023 |
Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Application
The United States application for a permit and Water Quality Certification is available on the Maine Department of Environmental Projection’s website.
The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection approval.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Public Notice
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice is available at the following link.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Maine General Permit.
More Questions?
For more information on this project, contact us at MilltownProject@nbpower.com.