Safety and environmental protection the focus of pipeline industry performance report

Calgary, Alberta, June 28 2017 – The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) today released its third annual Transmission Pipeline Industry Performance Report, which reveals how CEPA’s members are performing in the areas of safety, the environment and socio-economic contributions.

Research continues to show that safety and environmental protection are top priorities for Canadians when it comes to the transmission pipeline industry. This year’s report seeks to address these issues by demonstrating what CEPA’s members are doing collectively to improve safety, minimize environmental impacts and develop solutions regarding the concerns Canadians have about the industry’s  operations and performance.

“We have a responsibility to be open, consistent and accountable to government, regulators, Indigenous groups and all stakeholders,” says Chris Bayle, CEPA Board Chair, President and CEO, Inter Pipeline. “CEPA members strive to operate to the highest safety standards, but know that there is always room to improve. Each CEPA member company is committed to collaborating and going beyond regulation to strengthen safety performance across the entire industry.”

To view the 2017 Pipeline Industry Performance report click here

Industry highlights of the 2017 report include:

• Maintained a 99.999 per cent safety record, with an ongoing commitment to reach zero incidents
• Continuing to advance our CEPA Integrity First^® program, which enables CEPA’s member companies to work collectively to strengthen the pipeline industry’s performance in critical areas
• Strengthened the safety of pipelines through the induction of the Pipeline Safety Act
• Conducted awareness training programs with Canada’s First Responders
• Reported zero significant liquid releases
• Reported one significant natural gas release that occurred during the maintenance of a natural gas pipeline that was not operating
• Increased investment in innovative technology by over six million dollars to $22.8 million

A lot has changed since the first transmission pipeline was built in 1853. Back then it was a 25 kilometre cast iron pipe that moved natural gas to Trois Rivières, Quebec. Today, Canada’s sophisticated transmission pipeline system spans approximately 119,000 kms – enough to circle the earth three times.

Canada is a nation of innovators and traders, and with our nation’s 150^th birthday just days away, it reconfirms the critical role that pipelines play in ensuring the quality of life we enjoy as Canadians.

“A lot of the changes in our industry are a reflection of what we hear from Canadians,” says Chris Bloomer, President and CEO, CEPA. “There is a dynamic discussion about pipelines in Canada, and we all play a role in that conversation. Our goal is that this year’s performance report creates more awareness about what we do every day to ensure the energy we all use is delivered in the safest most responsible way.”

The full report is available at www.pr17.cepa.com

To arrange a media interview with Chris Bloomer, please contact Leanne Madder at lmadder@cepa.com

About CEPA

CEPA represents Canada’s transmission pipeline companies who operate about 135,000 kilometres of pipeline in Canada and the United States. In 2016, these energy highways moved approximately 1.4 billion barrels of liquid petroleum products and 5.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Our members transport 97 per cent of Canada’s daily natural gas and onshore crude oil from producing regions to markets throughout North America.

Leanne Madder

Senior Media Relations Advisor
Canadian Energy Pipeline Association

Suite 1110, 505–3rd St. SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3E6

Office 403.221.8756
Mobile 403.973.7750
Fax 403.221.8760
LMadder@cepa.com
@aboutpipelines