LEAP: No Gas Plants In Pictou County

09/06/2026

RAINY MORNING REMINDER:

copy and paste to [email protected] or make it your own:

Dear Premier,

Thank you for broadening your perspective of what's possible for Nova Scotia's energy grid. Our province has the opportunity to leapfrog new fossil fuel infrastructure and become a true green energy leader. Please have the grid operator open their request for proposals to technology-neutral so that batteries can compete with natural gas peaker plants to help meet our provinces energy needs. Please act quickly to ensure IESO's request for proposals can include battery storage by September 11.

Sincerely,

copy and paste to [email protected] or make it your own:

Dear Premier,

Thank you for broadening your perspective of what's possible for Nova Scotia's energy grid. Our province has the opportunity to leapfrog new fossil fuel infrastructure and become a true green energy leader. Please have the grid operator open their Request for Proposals to technology-neutral so that batteries can complete with natural gas peaker plants to help meet our provinces energy needs. Please act quickly to ensure IESO's request for proposals can include battery storage by September 11.

Sincerely,

09/04/2026

PEOPLE POWER WORKS! ✊⚡️
️
After months of pressure from Pictou County residents and beyond, Premier Tim Houston is now asking Nova Scotia’s grid operator (the IESO) to broaden its Request For Proposals to include battery technology, not just methane gas and diesel power generation.

That’s a BIG deal! Our voices are being heard. 💥

But the grid operator hasn’t made an official announcement, and changes to its Request for Proposals need to happen by September 11.

So let’s turn words into action.

✍️ ☎️ Email or call Premier Houston: thank him for listening to us — and tell him to act fast to make sure batteries are included in the IESO’s Request for Proposals before it’s too late.

When our community speaks up, things move. Let’s keep the pressure on. 🌱⚡️

Renewable energy and battery storage are now the cheapest form of energy available. Together, we can help Nova Scotia become a green energy superpower, and a leader in providing affordable energy for all. Visit leappictou.org to learn more.

Nova Scotia Government CBC_EastCoast CTV Atlantic News Global News

09/04/2026

Pictou Advocate

“Another concern Houston discussed was the worry around the technology that Nova Scotians end up with becoming quickly obsolete. He said the conversations he had with protesters ahead of his State of the Province tour stop in New Glasgow were far more productive……”

LEAP Note: Obsolescence/cost to Nova Scotians, environmental impacts, life altering changes to 2 small communities, all weigh heavily in these proposals for gas generation plants.

During a cabinet media availability Sept. 3, Premier Tim Houston was asked if he thinks IESO would still consider an American tender for the planned peaker plants in Salt Springs

09/03/2026

CBC NEWS. Premier wants grid operator to consider other technology for new power plants

Watch for LEAP news release early next week. This of course is not over, however this is positive news and what many of us have pushed towards: for Nova Scotia to become a real GREEN energy leader. A welcome decision from Premier Tim Houston.

“They’ve been too focused on [natural] gas,” said Houston.

“I think it should be open to different technologies like batteries and others. So that’s an active discussion on the RFP process. I personally believe it should be broadened.”

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston wants the province’s Independent Energy System Operator to broaden the request for proposals to build new power plants to include “a proper and more fulsome assessment of different technologies.” So far, however, there’s no indication a change will happen.

09/03/2026

With the proposed gas plants in Pictou County, our communities are being asked to take on huge risks, yet we’re not being listened to. Pictou County Warden Robert Parker and local councillors are standing with our community - demanding a stop to these polluting projects in favor of greener, cheaper battery storage.

Our voices matter: community consent, not corporate pollution.

🚨TAKE ACTION:
👉Tell Premier Tim Houston and outgoing Energy Minister Marco MacLeod for Pictou West to listen to the community. Email them at: [email protected] and [email protected]
👉Share this video and take further action at: leappictou.org/calls-to-action/

CTV Atlantic News CBC_EastCoast Global News Nova Scotia Government

09/02/2026

🚨 Red Alert Nova Scotia: our grid operator wants to build 2 massive gas and diesel power plants in Pictou County. And guess who’s footing the multi-billion dollar bill? 💵 We all are!

Why is Premier Tim Houston locking us into expensive, toxic fossil fuels for decades when cleaner, cheaper battery alternatives exist? Nova Scotians shouldn’t pay for yesterday’s outdated technology when newer, cleaner, cheaper technology is already here.

✊ TAKE ACTION:

👉 SHARE this video and TAG Premier Tim Houston and Energy Minister Marco MacLeod for Pictou West
👉 EMAIL them at [email protected] and [email protected]
👉 CLICK the link in our bio or visit http://leappictou.org/calls-to-action/ to get involved and help secure the affordable energy future we all deserve.

CBC_EastCoast CTV Atlantic News Global News Nova Scotia Government

09/01/2026

Our community action group is mobilizing around the LEAPfrog opportunity that NS has to skip new fossil fuel infrastructure and move straight to new grid-stabilizing battery technology paired with renewables to meet the energy demands of our province. We feel that these polluting plants don’t belong in ANYONE’s backyard in 2026 when there are better ways.

We remain focused on our mission:
To stop the Pictou County gas plants; uphold Mi’kmaq Treaty Rights; protect salmon, ecosystems, people, and the water that sustains them; and seize the opportunity for cleaner energy to meet Nova Scotia’s power needs.

Falling battery costs and a data centre-fuelled dash for gas have overturned decades of accepted wisdom: gas is no longer the cheapest way to meet peak power demand.

08/31/2026

There is more and more evidence that investing in outdated fossil fuel infrastructure is bad economics in 2026 and terrible for the environment. There are cleaner, more affordable ways with new battery technology. Yes, burning methane ("natural" gas) may be a bit cleaner than burning coal, but that's a pretty low bar!

Our community action group is mobilizing around the LEAPfrog opportunity Nova Scotia has to skip polluting plants that would lock us into fossil fuels for 25+ years and go straight to grid-stabilizing battery storage paired with renewables.

Better for the environment, better for all grid-tied Nova Scotian's power bills and better for our children's future, and yet our government is SO focused on a dirtier, far more expensive plan?

These gas peaker plants don't belong in anyone's backyard in 2026.

Falling battery costs and a data centre-fuelled dash for gas have overturned decades of accepted wisdom: gas is no longer the cheapest way to meet peak power demand.

08/30/2026

What an incredible evening of improvisational music and painting in Halifax on Friday in support of our work opposing the construction of two gas plants in Nova Scotia. A giant thank you to the musicians and painter who gifted their time and talent, the awesome sound guy and the beautiful St George’s Round Church venue who shared their skills and space, and the folks who joined by donation to enjoy. Way to weave together this brave, creative experience Sam Wilson!

We appreciate the funds that will go towards the judicially review legal fees and opposition campaign, but also we’re heartened to feel the expanding solidarity across (and with folks from Tantramar attending who are in a similar fight). Fossil fuel infrastructure in 2026 is a BAD idea anywhere. Write to Premier Tim Houston and Energy Minister Marco MacLeod for Pictou West to let them know your thoughts about gas plants going into vital wilderness areas of Pictou County.