Novia Scotia, a province of about one million people, is located on the east coast of Canada. With the discovery of large natural gas reserves off the Scotian Shelf, offshore production platforms, undersea and onshore pipelines have been constructed to link the find with major markets in Boston by the end of 1999. The onshore pipeline through the province will allow a distribution system to be developed. This natural gas system will be the largest Greenfield development seen in North America for many years.
A billion-dollar expenditure is proposed to establish a local distribution company, which would construct and maintain around 8,000 kilometres of distribution and lateral pipelines in the province. An integral part of this program involves the provision of local benefits through hiring and purchasing of goods and services.
This paper describes aspects of the construction program and benefits plan proposed during the regulatory hearings in order to illustrate the methods used to ensure that the objectives of accessing the majority of Nova Scotians in a seven year planning horizon will be met. The varied landscapes to be crossed and specialized construction techniques to meet those challenges are discussed. The mechanisms in place to ensure maximum benefit for Nova Scotians are also discussed.
Up-to-date information will be presented to demonstrate how the benefits plan is being implemented. The successes of the benefits plan for the distribution utility and the other local megaproject in the province (Sable Offshore Energy) are compared. Conclusions will be drawn regarding successful strategies for implementing benefits plans related to large energy projects.
The advantages of implementing the employee benefits plan and tis role in reducing the cost of promoting human resources
