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.