Trans Mountain Expansion detailed route hearings for Burnaby segment beginning in early 2018

CALGARY, Oct. 4, 2017 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) announced today that detailed route hearings for the Burnaby, B.C. segment (Segment 7) of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project will begin in January 2018.

Hearings for this section of the pipeline will take place in Burnaby beginning in January, and follows a previous announcement for detailed route hearings in segments one and two (of seven) located in Alberta that will begin this fall. Hearings in relation to the remaining four segments will be announced at a later date.

From April to July, the NEB received 452 statements of opposition to the proposed detailed route; 135 of these relate to Segment 7. In total there will be 28 detailed route hearings for Segment 7.

The 1,147 km pipeline project was approved by the Government of Canada in November 2016 along an approximate 150 metre wide pipeline corridor. The detailed route approval process will determine the exact placement of the new pipeline within the approved corridor. It is a key regulatory step required by the NEB before construction can begin on the new pipeline.

The NEB also placed 157 conditions on the project. While many conditions address the full lifespan of the pipeline, the company is required to complete 98 pre-construction conditions before any construction begins. Canadians can monitor Trans Mountain's condition compliance through the NEB's interactive condition compliance tracker.

Landowners or affected persons and participants who make representations to the NEB in one of the detailed route hearings may submit a claim directly to Trans Mountain for reasonable costs of participating in the detailed route hearing. Additionally, advanced funding for participation in the detailed route hearing may be available.

Quick facts:

• The Federal Government approved the Trans Mountain expansion project last November, following a NEB recommendation in May 2016 that the project be approved subject to 157 conditions.
• The National Energy Board Act (NEB Act) sets out a process for the Board in determining the specific location for a new pipeline, and the methods of acquisition of land rights needed to be obtained by the pipeline companies from affected landowners.
• The process starts with Trans Mountain providing notice to directly affected landowners and those who believe their lands could be adversely affected by the route of the pipeline. All statements of opposition that meet the requirements of the NEB Act are given a detailed route hearing.
• At each detailed route hearing, the NEB will hear the specific concerns raised by the landowner or affected person.
• As cited in the NEB Act, statements of opposition that do not set out the grounds for opposition in regard to the detailed route, or the methods or timing of construction, or relate to issues outside of the Board's jurisdiction, or that are found to be frivolous, vexatious or not made in good faith, will not be granted a hearing.
• The NEB also offers Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for landowners and companies. ADR processes related to the detailed route hearings are underway, and are expected to continue throughout the hearing process, with the intent to facilitate mutually agreeable solutions between the parties.

Quote:
"The detailed route hearing process is a very important part of the NEB's regulatory oversight role. It focuses on the specific concerns of landowners or affected persons directly impacted by the proposed route. By listening to their concerns, the NEB can ensure that the pipeline is placed in the best possible location."

-   Peter Watson, Chair & CEO, National Energy Board.

Associated links:
Detailed Route Hearing Order for Segment 7
Detailed Route approval process video (new)
Rights & responsibilities of landowners snapshot
Alternate Dispute Resolution snapshot

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