News that the natural gas plant may not be coming to Moose Jaw is disappointing to many.

Federal regulations relating to emission calculations for the carbon tax have been blamed by the provincial government as the potential reason.

But Regina NDP MLA Carla Beck said the provincial government has put their time and money in projects that have not benefited the province, and have under-planned major projects like the proposed gas plant.

“With SaskPower, we’ve seen this time and time again, where they’ve put their investments into places that haven’t created any jobs. $25 million at the GTH, for example. The smart meters which cost us over $30 million and didn’t produce any results, (and) the cost inflation at the carbon capture plant.”

The provincial minister responsible for SaskPower said they would have to “pump the brakes” on proposed natural gas projects.

“Certainly this was something that people in Moose Jaw were looking forward to,” said Beck. “The jobs and the economic influx that it would have provided.”

Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili said the new regulations shouldn't be the reason the provincial government scuttles the plan.

“We’re transitioning away from coal, and this is a big part of being able to produce energy locally and in an affordable fashion,” said Meili. “They should go ahead with this project. They also, and this is something this government has failed on repeatedly, should make sure that as they’re deciding who builds it, they’re taking into account what the benefit will be for the province.”

The plant in Swift Current, for example, was build by an out of province firm, as was the major GTH project.

Originally, the plant would have needed 600 workers to build and create 25 jobs to maintain it.