A proposed Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) processing facility in Edson is one step closer to reality.
On Tuesday, Edson town council passed second and third reading for Bylaw 2286, redistricting land at 603 54 Street South, from Urban Reserve to M-2 Heavy Industrial.
Town officials say the rezoning is based on the applicant’s intention to develop a Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) processing facility. While council recognized some of the concerns regarding the proposal, they felt the zoning aligns with intended land use in that area. It was also noted the approval for the facility itself is dependent on Alberta Energy Regulator processes.
Second and third reading of the rezoning bylaw were passed following a public hearing that was held during council’s regular meeting this week.
First reading of the Bylaw was held on Feb. 21, 2023, which proposed to redistrict a roughly 46.30 hectares parcel at 603 54 Street South bordering Yellowhead County on the east and south boundaries from Urban Reserve to Heavy Industrial.
According to Town officials, the rezoning would allow for the development of a Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) processing facility, which is a permitted use in the Heavy Industrial District.
Town officials say the proposed redistricting is not in conflict with the current Municipal Development Plan (MDP) for future uses proposed in this area of town. Officials say this redistricting is considered in conjunction with the direction of the 2017 Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) with Yellowhead County.
Edson officials say specific regard to potential concerns with the anticipated use will be addressed in the future and at the Development Permit stage, and must satisfactorily include (amongst other development matters):
– Access and vehicle management (Alberta Transportation)
– Natural Gas Liquids Processing Facility approvals (AER)
– Stormwater management (Infrastructure & Planning, and AEP)
Administration confirms that the proposed land use re-designation aligns with applicable higher order planning documents including the IDP. Town officials further note that any possible
issues with the proposed use will be considered, and addressed, in conjunction with the anticipated Development Permit application. Consideration and ultimately approval of this use shall require thorough vetting by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), which officials say is ongoing at this time.
As part of the public and stakeholder engagement process, the Town says it referred this application to external stakeholders (Yellowhead County, CN Rail, Alberta Environment and Parks,
and Alberta Energy Regulator), and internal stakeholders (Town staff). Administration says it went beyond the standard notification radius and notified all landowners within 500 metres of the subject site (including County residents), keeping in mind the scale of the project.
Town officials say the rezoning previously received mixed responses from Yellowhead County, CN Rail, Alberta Environment and Parks, and adjacent landowners.
Some of the concerns shared by the organizations included:
- handling of fire incidents
- within range of Athabasca rainbow trout (Federally Endangered Species)
- concerned for the future, safety concerns, and future financial property losses
- the blocking of 54th Street South
- Road Standard of 54th Street South
The project proposed by Pivotal Energy Partners has also received multiple positive messages, say company officials, including:
1) Employment opportunities; both direct & indirect
2) Increased economic activity for the town
3) Tax Revenue for the town
4) Community engagement
Pivotal officials say they continue to spend significant time and capital on the development of this project. They say progress has occurred since their latest project update including engineering, environmental assessments, regulatory permits, traffic studies, public engagement and rail egress.
Regulatory / Environmental
• Key steps taken in order to prepare licence application to Alberta Energy Regulator (AER):
• Environmental Phase I completed
• Historical Resource application approval March 14th
• Nav Canada approval regarding the heights of facility equipment in relation to the airport
• Geotechnical Assessment completed with final analysis expected week of March 13th
• Traffic impact assessment study underway
Construction/Engineering:
- Fabrication of modular components of the facility is underway in Edmonton
- Engineering fully kicked off with 40% of all piping and instrumentation diagrams completed
- Construction Schedule developed with target on-site kick off of June 1st, 2023
- Continual monitoring of schedule based on long lead items, stakeholder engagement & regulatory/permitting submissions and approvals
Based on feedback from stakeholders, Pivotal officials say they recognize the need to continue to consult with residents & landowners on what the project is, but almost as importantly, what it is not. Company officials say Pivotal remains committed to host a townhall open house at the end of April.
