On November 29, 2016, the Government of Canada granted approval for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, subject to 157 conditions from the National Energy Board (NEB).
The 157 conditions apply during various stages of the Project’s life cycle, including before construction, during construction and during operation of the pipeline. Conditions are designed to reduce possible risks identified during the application process and ensure the pipeline is planned, built and operated safely. The requirements also ensure Trans Mountain protects the environment and respects the rights of those directly affected by the Project through construction, mitigation and into many years of operations.
The conditions, which would be enforced by the NEB, cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Safety and integrity of the pipeline;
- Emergency preparedness and response;
- Protection of the environment;
- Ongoing consultation with those affected, including Aboriginal communities;
- Socio-economic matters;
- Affirmation of commercial support for the Project prior to construction; and
- Financial responsibility.
A complete list of the 157 required conditions can be found in Appendix 3 of the NEB’s report on the Project here.
The NEB is responsible for verifying and ensuring Trans Mountain is in compliance with these conditions. It does this through inspections, management system audits, compliance meetings, manual or report reviews, emergency response exercise evaluations, information requests and information submissions. More information on the NEB’s Compliance Verification Toolkit is available in Section III of the NEB’s Regulatory Framework web page.
