Topic:"Indigenous Communities" in M12619

1 3.0 ONGOING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND MI’KMAQ AND STAKEHOLDER 2 ENGAGEMENT 3 4 While active project work on the Mersey Redevelopment remains paused, NS Power continues to 5 build an understanding of requirements resulting from the recent s...

AI summary NS Power is paused on the Mersey Redevelopment project but continues engaging with Mi’kmaq communities, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and Nova Scotia government departments to address new environmental regulatory requirements, including compliance with the modernized Fisheries Act (2019) and fish passage obligations. These requirements are expected to significantly impact project timelines, costs, and scope.

1 Recently, efforts have been made to collaborate with DFO and the Mi’kmaq on developing hydro 2 system specific work plans to mitigate impacts to fish and fish habitat across NS Power’s hydro 3 fleet, and to address compliance to the mode...

AI summary NS Power collaborates with DFO and Mi’kmaq to mitigate environmental impacts on fish and habitat through hydro projects, including the Mersey Redevelopment. Environmental and archaeological costs affect project alternatives, complicating re-naturalization efforts. NS Power emphasizes stakeholder engagement and data-driven evaluation of project options.

ties with drawing down 23 reservoirs. Consideration of impacts to communities and exposure of Mi’kmaw archaeological 24 resources are hard to quantify in a decommissioning (re-naturalized) scenario. Decommissioning 25 estimates are indicat...

AI summary The decommissioning of Mersey Hydro reservoirs presents complex challenges, including quantifying impacts on communities and Mi'kmaw archaeological resources, leading to unclassified estimates and higher contingency requirements due to these uncertainties.

1 6.0 CONCLUSION 2 3 NS Power has increased the incremental sustaining investment in the MHS to maintain safe and 4 reliable operation of the system, while deferring a major investment for customers until the future 5 of the MHS is determi...

AI summary NS Power defers major redevelopment of Mersey Hydro Station (MHS) until the next Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to avoid long-term commitments, aligning with Nova Scotia’s Clean Power Plan and prioritizing affordability. Incremental investments maintain safe operations while conducting preliminary studies and stakeholder engagement.

Q: How will the Mersey Hydro project decision be made? A: At this point, NS Power is not the key decision maker. Key decisions are the responsibilities of three different institutions. Exhibit N-6, NSEB RIR-162(b). The IESO Nova Scotia is...

AI summary The Mersey Hydro project decision is not led by NS Power but by the IESO Nova Scotia, which is conducting an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to determine the long-term role of the Mersey Hydro System. Key factors include compliance with the Fisheries Act, archaeological costs, and engagement with Indigenous communities and government departments.