CALGARY, Jan. 26, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) has approved Enbridge's Line 10 Westover Segment Replacement Project in southern Ontario. Having considered the evidence, the NEB believes the project is in the public interest and has imposed a total of 46 conditions covering a wide range of matters, including emergency management and environmental protection.
Providing the conditions and company commitments are met, the NEB believes the project is unlikely to have significant adverse environmental effects. In their decision, the three-member Hearing Panel noted that Enbridge had revised the project route during the course of the hearing process based on consultation from stakeholders. They also highlighted the proponent's commitment to work with Indigenous groups to ensure their involvement in the monitoring of construction, post-construction and decommissioning activities.
This decision follows a public hearing that included several written steps, a community meeting where Six Nations of the Grand River provided Oral Traditional Evidence and oral cross examination and final argument. The NEB granted participant status to 15 applicants, and allocated funding awards totaling $142,000 through its Participant Funding Program. This program provides financial assistance to cover hearing related expenses, which can include fees paid to a lawyer or expert, and travel or administrative costs.
As set out in Federal legislation, construction of pipelines of less than 40 kilometres (km) does not require Cabinet approval. The NEB will monitor compliance with the conditions associated to this decision through the project's lifecycle.
Quick Facts
- Enbridge's Line 10 application proposes to replace 32 km of existing 12 inch-diameter Line 10 pipe with 35 km of new 20 inch-diameter pipe in southern Ontario. It will connect Enbridge's Westover Terminal to its Nanticoke Junction Facility in the City of Hamilton. The project includes three new sections for proposed reroutes from the existing right-of-way totaling approximately 11 km.
- The NEB determined the project would provide economic benefits, predominantly in the construction phase of the project through both direct and indirect business opportunities, and fees for permits and taxes.
- The capital cost of the project is approximately $219 million.
- The NEB regulates approximately 73,000 km of pipelines that cross provincial boundaries or the Canada-U.S. border.
- In any given year, the NEB conducts more than 300 compliance verification activities related to these facilities.
Associated Links
- Reason for Decision [Filing A81483]
- Line 10 Westover Segment Replacement project
- Who Regulates Canada's Pipelines? (factsheet)
- The Lifecycle Approach (video)
External Links
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
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Contacts: Marc Drolet, Communications Officer, National Energy Board, Montreal Office, Email: [email protected], Cell: 514-476-9911
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