NEB announces public hearing for Enbridge's Edmonton to Hardisty pipeline project

CALGARY, March 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) will hold a public hearing, which will include an oral portion, to consider an application from Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (Enbridge) to construct and operate a new pipeline approximately 181 km in length to transport crude oil from Enbridge's existing Edmonton Terminal to its existing Hardisty Terminal.

The proposed project also includes the construction and operation of a new initiating pump station at Enbridge's Edmonton Terminal, a new pump station at each of its existing Kingman and Strome stations, as well as associated facilities and infrastructure at its Edmonton and Hardisty Terminals.

The proposed pipeline right-of-way (RoW) will be alongside and contiguous to an existing Enbridge pipeline RoW and other linear disturbances for approximately 96.6 per cent of its length.

The issues the Board will consider are the need, the economic feasibility, the potential commercial impacts, the appropriateness of the tolling methodology, the potential environmental and socio-economic effects, the appropriateness of the general route and land requirements, the engineering design and integrity, the potential impacts on landowners, land use and Aboriginal interests, as well as safety, security, and contingency planning associated with the construction and operation of the project.

The Board must hear from any person who, in the Board's opinion, is directly affected by the proposed project, and may choose to hear from any person who has relevant information or expertise. Further information on how you can apply to participate is provided in the Hearing Order. The Board will use the information you provide in your Application to Participate to make a decision as to whether you will be allowed to participate in this hearing. When completing your Application to Participate, you must demonstrate that your interest in this proceeding, or the information or expertise you wish to contribute, is relevant to one or more of the Issues identified in the List of Issues in the Hearing Order.

If the Board determines you are eligible to participate, it will be in one of three ways:

1. as a Commenter (by writing your views in a Letter of Comment);
2. as an Intervenor; or
3. as a Government Participant.

The deadline for filing your Application to Participate is noon (Calgary time) on 17 April 2013.

The Hearing Order provides important information on the hearing process and procedures to follow.  You can also contact the Board's Process Advisor for this Project, Debbie Kuchinski at 403-299-3656 (toll-free 1-800-899-1265) or [email protected] if you have questions about this hearing or how to participate.

The Board will communicate the details regarding the date(s) and the location(s) of the oral portion of this hearing in a future procedural update.

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.

SOURCE: National Energy Board

This news release and the Hearing Order are also available on the Board's Internet site under What's New!

For further information: 

Whitney Punchak
Communications Officer
Telephone: [phone]
Toll-free telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Toll-free facsimile: 1-877-288-8803
TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663
E-mail: [email protected]

For a copy of the Hearing Order: 

National Energy Board Library
Ground Floor
444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 0X8
Telephone: [phone]
Toll-free telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: 403-292-5576
Toll-free facsimile: 1-877-288-8803
Email: [email protected]