Approval Issued for Former Maritime Steel Plant

The Department of Environment issued today, Aug. 2, approval to operate the former Maritime Steel and Foundries Ltd. plant in New Glasgow for one year.

The approval, to Abbas Jafarnia, has strict environmental conditions that requires environmental impact studies on air quality, soil and ground and surface water.

"We've heard the concerns of the community and ensured they were reflected in this approval," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau. "We have asked for more information so we can be confident the facility is operating in a way that protects public health and the environment."

Over the next year, the approval also requires a facility relocation study and a ventilation assessment and emissions reduction plan.

The department will review the results of the studies before issuing any future environmental approvals.