On December 16, 2013, Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC (Trans Mountain) submitted to its regulator, the National Energy Board (NEB), its proposal for an expansion of its existing 1,150-kilometre oil pipeline between Strathcona County (near Edmonton), AB and Burnaby, BC.
The National Energy Board (NEB) released a Hearing Schedule for Trans Mountain Expansion Project. It sets out the process for the NEB to complete its review of the Trans Mountain Expansion Application. The NEB has approved 1,683 participants in the review including 404 Intervenors and 1,279 Commenters.
The Board’s order included a list of 12 issues for discussion in the hearing. It also included a schedule of events, notably opportunities for Intervenors and the NEB itself to pose Information Requests, or IRs, to Trans Mountain about the Application. The process also includes an oral hearing of Aboriginal traditional evidence and an oral argument in 2015/2016. When the NEB completes its review, it will make a report and recommendation to federal cabinet, expected in May 2016.
Meanwhile, stakeholder engagement and consultation remain essential to development of the Trans Mountain’s Expansion Project. Since the Trans Mountain expansion was announced in 2012, thousands of hours have been committed to providing those interested in the Project with a range of information and platforms to encourage discussion and education. Public information sessions, stakeholder meetings, workshops, mail-outs, newspaper advertisements and an extensive digital communication effort including social media have brought forward many ideas, comments and concerns about potential impacts from Trans Mountain’s proposed expansion. This feedback has supported development of studies, plans and design for the proposed Project and continues to do so.
The NEB will hold oral hearings to review arguments on the Application before it makes a decision on the proposed Project. The proceedings will allow people or groups who have been granted permission to participate by the NEB a chance to raise issues, present evidence, test evidence and provide their input. Subject to receipt of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), Trans Mountain plans to begin construction in 2017 and go into service in 2019.
- Discussions with regulators to define the process and determine federal, provincial and regulatory requirements for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project Facilities Application.
- Project introduction meetings with Aboriginal communities, landowners, and stakeholders.
- Committed to ongoing and transparent engagement with Aboriginal communities, landowners, and stakeholders throughout the life of the system.
- Prior to filing the Facilities Application, Trans Mountain filed a Toll Application with the National Energy Board.
- The focus of the Toll Application was to seek approval from the National Energy Board on the Company's proposed tolling structure to move product through the proposed expanded pipeline for its customers.
- The
Toll Application did not seek approval for the proposed expansion
facilities and did not involve technical or environmental aspects of the
proposed expansion project.
- Ongoing and transparent engagement with Aboriginal communities, landowners, and stakeholders throughout the life of the system.
- Completed comprehensive pipeline routing studies, traditional knowledge studies, environmental and socio-economic assessments.
- On
December 16, 2013 Trans Mountain filed a comprehensive Facilities
Application with the National Energy Board.
- National Energy Board determines the Application is compete and issues a formal Hearing Order setting out the hearing process to be followed.
- Hearing Order issued in early April 2014 and revised in August 2014.
- Ongoing and transparent engagement with Aboriginal communities, landowners, and stakeholders throughout the life of the system.
- Regulatory process
- Ongoing and transparent engagement with Aboriginal communities, landowners, and stakeholders throughout the life of the system.
- If there is a successful outcome from the regulatory application process construction could begin in 2017 and expanded capacity in the pipeline would be ready to move products in 2019.
- Ongoing and transparent engagement with Aboriginal communities, landowners, and stakeholders throughout the life of the system.
- Proposed expanded Trans Mountain Pipeline to start operating.