Any pipeline expansion or other linear project has added complexity. It involves layers of communities, Aboriginal communities, governments, regulators, industries and stakeholders.
Trans Mountain is currently talking with landowners, Aboriginal Peoples, communities and stakeholders. During this dialogue, the project team will identify concerns and seek input to ensure those with interests in the project are heard. In addition to in-person events, residents can contribute to the Talk Trans Mountain forum.
In order to move forward, Trans Mountain’s project proposal must meet regulatory and permitting requirements from all levels of government. Current milestones include:
- Conducting engineering, environmental and socio-economic assessments, along with traditional knowledge studies
- Filing of a Facilities Application with the National Energy Board in late 2013
- Gaining National Energy Board approval
- Beginning construction: 2016
- Beginning expanded pipeline operations: 2017
Given the scope and magnitude of the project, the National Energy Board’s comprehensive regulatory review could take place over two years, from late 2013 to mid-2015.
- Meetings and discussions with regulators to define the process and determine federal, provincial and regulatory requirements needed for the expansion facilities application.
- Initial meetings with Aboriginal groups, landowners, communities and stakeholders.
- Continue and expand open and transparent engagement with Aboriginal groups, landowners, communities and stakeholders. The engagement with Aboriginal groups and stakeholders will continue throughout the life of the proposed expansion project.
- Before the facilities application, Kinder Morgan Canada will file a tolling application with the National Energy Board that outlines the Company's proposed tolling structure for its customers.
- This application will not seek approval for the proposed expansion facilities and will not involve technical or environmental aspects of the proposed expansion project
- The focus of the tolling application will be to seek approval from the National Energy Board regarding how Kinder Morgan Canada will charge its customers for moving product through the proposed expanded pipeline.
- Continue open and transparent engagement.
- Undertake comprehensive pipeline routing studies, traditional knowledge studies, environmental and socio-economic assessments.
- The goal is to file a comprehensive facilities application with the National Energy Board in late 2013 to start a regulatory project review. The timing will be determined by meeting the established regulatory requirements that govern the application process and consultation efforts.
- Continue open and transparent engagement.
- Regulatory review.
- Continue open and transparent engagement.
- If the project is approved, construction of the proposed expansion could begin.
- Continue open and transparent engagement.
- Proposed expanded Trans Mountain Pipeline to start operating.