Milltown Decommissioning
On July 1, 2023 after 141 years of providing value to the surrounding communities, the Milltown Generating Station began decommissioning. In the weeks and months to come decommissioning will unveil the beauty of the St. Croix River. This will offer about five million square meters of spawning habitat available to various sea-run fish species, as well as recreational and cultural opportunities.
Full decommissioning is being carried out by 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 continue to meet all regulatory conditions required to deliver the Milltown Decommissioning project in the most cost-effective, efficient and safest manner possible.
Benefits of 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 accounted 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 |
New Brunswick Environmental Impact Assessment
The Environmental Impact Assessment registration document can be viewed on the Department of Environment and Local Government’s website.
The New Brunswick Certificate of Determination can be viewed on the Department of Environment and Local Government’s website.
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.
