National Energy Board Issues Decisions and Recommendations regarding Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project

CALGARY, April 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) has concluded that the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Program (Project) is in the Canadian public interest and will recommend Project approval to the federal Governor in Council.   

The NEB Decision follows a public hearing process that included an exhaustive scientific and technical examination of all the evidence brought before the three member NEB panel.

In recommending approval of the Project, the NEB noted that the Project will replace an aging pipeline with new pipeline constructed to modern standards and therefore make an existing pipeline safer. The NEB has imposed 89 Project-specific conditions to enhance public safety, environmental protection, and consultation between the company and stakeholders.

The company proposes to operate the new pipeline at the original pipeline's capacity of 760,000 barrels of oil per day. The majority of Project construction will occur within a right of way that parallels and overlaps existing Enbridge rights of way, including the Enbridge Mainline corridor.  

All NEB-regulated pipelines are subject to ongoing compliance verification. Enforcement may be taken should the company fail to adhere to Project-specific conditions. 

Highlights of the NEB Decision:

• The NEB has directed Enbridge to develop a plan for Aboriginal groups to participate in monitoring the construction of the new pipeline.
• Policy Recommendation on Decommissioning: The Panel recommends that the NEB carry out additional assessment and consultation on the policy and regulatory framework that guides advanced stages of a pipeline's lifecycle, including decommissioning and abandonment.
• Policy Recommendation on Monitoring by Aboriginal groups: The Panel recommends that the NEB, the pipeline industry, and Aboriginal groups work together to create a set of principles, objectives or a framework approach that can be used to assist the development of Aboriginal monitoring programs for large pipeline projects. 

As required by federal law, the NEB has submitted its Report and Recommendations to the federal Minister of Natural Resources. The federal government's Interim Measures for Pipeline Reviews will apply to this Project.

Quick Facts:

• The NEB granted intervener status to 39 individuals and stakeholders; 26 received Commenter status during the public hearing.
• 14 Indigenous Groups provided Oral Traditional Evidence; 37 total Indigenous participants.
• On November 5, 2014, Enbridge applied to replace 1,067 kilometres of aging 34 inch Line 3 pipeline between Hardisty, Alberta to Gretna, Manitoba, with 1,096 kilometres of new pipeline constructed to current standards.

Associated Links:
NEB Line 3 Replacement Project Decision
NEB Line 3 Project Web Page

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

SOURCE National Energy Board

Darin Barter, NEB Communications, Tel [phone], Email: [email protected]