LAC LA BICHE - TC Energy is expanding its natural gas pipeline network in Lac La Biche County.
According to a presentation to Lac La Biche County council on July 22, the company expects to begin construction in September and have the new line in service by April of 2026.
Called the Leming Lake Lateral Loop, and referred to as the Leming Lake (Field Lake Section) in documents shared with council, the project is 17 kilometres of 20-inch outer diameter pipeline. It will run from the Field Lake Compressor Station to just north of Elinor Lake, parallel to an existing 16-inch pipeline.
Mayor Paul Reutov asked if the existing pipeline was going to be decommissioned.
“They run in parallel to increase capacity,” said Chelsea Troup, a member of the Community Relations Team at TC Energy.
According to Troup, the company received approval from the energy regulator in September 2024 and completed the clearing of the right of way in March 2025.
“Over the course of the seven-month construction period, we anticipate an average of 25 workers on site daily from September through November. It will work up to 150 workers from the end of November through January 2026 and then our peak workforce of 250 workers is anticipated at the end of January, beginning of February,” said Troup.
She said there are plans in place to mitigate concerns about traffic and dust management, which include performing construction during workday hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday to reduce noise during the evenings.
Troup noted TC Energy also has grants, donations, and scholarships available to non-profits in the community.
“We want our social impact dollars to be spent in a meaningful way. Our application portal is open for applications until Nov. 7, 2025, and then it will open again at the end of January in 2026 for the 2026 year,” said Troup.
“We welcome any development and any expansion in our region. As you know we’re energy friendly here up north,” said Mayor Paul Reutov.
Ward 2 Coun. Kevin Paré urged TC Energy to source local materials and contractors for the work, saying “the County has to get something more than just hotels out of the deal.”
“I know TC has supported local in the past, and will continue to, but just a little nudge of reinforcement to use local where you can,” said Paré.
