All Canadians can comment on topics to be considered by NEB Hearing Panel
CALGARY, May 10, 2017 /CNW/ – The National Energy Board (NEB) is seeking public input on what topics should be considered in the review of the Energy East and Eastern Mainline pipeline projects. The public will have until May 31 to provide their comments.
The Hearing Panel assigned to the Energy East and Eastern Mainline Projects issued two draft Lists of Issues today: one for Energy East and one that is specific to the Eastern Mainline Project. The Lists of Issues identify the topics the Hearing Panel will consider during the hearing. All of the evidence and questions raised by participants during the hearing should relate to at least one of the topics identified on the final Lists of Issues.
One of the notable additions to the draft lists is a proposal to consider the upstream and downstream greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the projects. The Hearing Panel has specifically asked for feedback on this issue.
The NEB is also responsible for carrying out an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. In this context, the Hearing Panel is looking for comments on its proposed scopes of factors for the environmental assessment, which has been expanded to include additional potential environmental impacts.
The Panel will review all the comments received during the comment period to see if any changes to the Lists of Issues are warranted. The Panel expects to release the final Lists of Issues by early summer.
Quick Facts
- On March 29, 2017 the Hearing Panel announced that it would review the Energy East and Eastern Mainline pipeline projects concurrently.
- Energy East is a 4,500-kilometre pipeline proposed to carry 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada and a marine terminal in New Brunswick.
- The Eastern Mainline Pipeline is a proposal to build approximately 279 kilometres of new gas pipeline and related components, beginning near Markham, Ontario and finishing near Brouseville, Ontario.
Associated Links
- Draft Lists of Issues & Draft Factors and Scopes of the Factors for the Environmental Assessment
- Energy East and Eastern Mainline Project webpage
The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry. It regulates pipelines, energy development and trade in the public interest with safety as its primary concern. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.
SOURCE National Energy Board
