ST. PAUL – The Town of St. Paul is requesting a joint council meeting be held with the County of St. Paul and the Town of Elk Point to discuss how emergency services in the region would be involved with Pathways Alliance’s proposed carbon capture project in the area.
Pathways Alliance is a consortium of Canada’s largest oilsands companies. The group plans to construct an estimated $16 billion carbon pipeline and underground storage hub, connecting over 20 oil sands facilities in the Fort McMurray, Christina Lake and Cold Lake regions, to a carbon storage hub in the Lakeland.
A portion of the of the proposed project’s transportation line is being proposed to be located within the County of St. Paul.
On Aug. 26, during a briefing at the regular council meeting, CAO Steven Jeffery briefed council on ongoing work to discuss its joint fire services agreement with the County of St. Paul.
Coun. Nathan Taylor asked if there had been any discussions around emergency response regarding Pathways Alliance’s carbon capture project.
Jeffery said there has been no agreement with the Alliance yet, but recommendations from the community have been noted. The idea that perhaps Pathways Alliance should invest in the proper equipment for emergency services that could be needed for an emergency response to an incident that involves the carbon capture project, has been heard, for example.
“I have relayed that, however, we’ve not had an actual engagement,” said the CAO.
Taylor said that if there was going to be a discussion, “I would actually suggest that we try and do it as a... regional joint council meeting with Elk Point, the County, and have somebody from Pathways come and present, and allow all councils to speak.”
“Also, not so much on the economic impacts, although those are good, but around specifically the emergency management,” said Taylor, explaining that since the St. Paul Fire Department serves both the Town and County, both municipalities should be in the room together. Elk Point Fire Department and St. Paul Fire Department also assist one another.
Jeffery said administration will work on it.
“I know very little, but I think Pathways is not really seeing us [Town of St. Paul] as much of a blip, because they’re not proceeding through Town limits.”
Taylor replied, saying, “But they’ve listed our fire department as first responders for an incident... without knowing... I think, [they’re] assuming it’s just the County’s fire department.”
“It’s not our pipeline . . . but it’s our firefighters going out there,” said Taylor.
Mayor Maureen Miller agreed, saying it is time to request Pathways Alliance come to the table again.
Jeffery said administration will discuss the matter with Fire Chief Trevor Kotowich and ensure the matter is included in the agenda during the joint fire services contract negotiations.
