National Energy Board Online Filing Process a Mess

BC MP demands deadline extension and increased support for individuals trying to file statements of opposition to Kinder Morgan pipeline

BURNABY, BC, April 12, 2017 /CNW/ - As a result of an opaque process and a failure to add necessary information to its website, BC MP Kennedy Stewart is calling on the National Energy Board (NEB) to extend its upcoming deadline for people attempting to file statements of opposition to the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline.

"Whether it's through incompetence or by design, the NEB is making it impossible for average citizens to file their statements of opposition," says Stewart. "To make up for this mess, they need to fix their site and give people more time."

A screenshot of an NEB website drop-down menu shows that Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Pipeline isn't listed as an option on which to comment. (CNW Group/Kennedy Stewart, MP for Burnaby South)

Now that Kinder Morgan has filed its final plans for the Trans Mountain pipeline with the NEB, concerned citizens have until late April to officially voice their opposition to the route. To do so they must file a statement of opposition using the NEB's e-file system, accessed via http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/pplctnflng/mjrpp/trnsmntnxpnsn/index-eng.html

But people who manage to find the right web page and start the process are quickly being stymied by drop-down menus that fail to even list Trans Mountain Pipeline as a project on which to comment and pages that don't provide Statement of Opposition as an option.

"People could have their property expropriated to make way for Kinder Morgan's pipeline and the NEB can't even be bothered to put the right information on its website," continues Stewart. "I'm hearing from outraged constituents that they are being denied their last opportunity to tell the NEB that they don't want this pipeline running through their property or community."

According to the NEB's website, anyone who has been served notice by Kinder Morgan, or anticipates that their lands may be adversely affected by the Trans Mountain pipeline, has 30 days to oppose the route by filing a statement of opposition. For information on how to file, contact the National Energy Board:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone]
Online: http://www.neb-one.gc.ca/pplctnflng/mjrpp/trnsmntnxpnsn/index-eng.html

While the deadline for statements varies by community based on when they were notified by Kinder Morgan, all written statements must be received by late April. 

Last week Stewart launched a new online tool at www.kennedystewart.ca to help residents understand how they would be impacted by the pipeline. By entering a postal code, the site shows whether people are on the pipeline route, in a land spill zone, or in a marine spill zone, for those who live in coastal areas.

About Kennedy Stewart: As the Member of Parliament for Burnaby South, Kennedy is the NDP's BC Caucus Chair. He has a PhD from the London School of Economics and is currently on-leave as professor from Simon Fraser University's School of Public Policy.

SOURCE Kennedy Stewart, MP for Burnaby South

Kennedy Stewart, [email protected], Phone: [phone]