Trans Mountain Expansion detailed route hearings announced for interior B.C.

CALGARY, Nov. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB) announced today that detailed route hearings for Segments 3 & 4 of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project are expected to begin in February, 2018. Hearings will take place in Valemount and Clearwater, B.C.

Previously, the NEB announced detailed route hearings for Segments 1 & 2 in Alberta, and for Segment 7 in the Burnaby, B.C. area.  Hearings for the remaining Segments 5 & 6 (Kamloops, B.C. through to the Lower Mainland) will be announced at a later date.

The NEB received 22 statements of opposition to Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC's proposed detailed route through Segments 3 & 4. A total of 20 detailed route hearings for this section of the pipeline were granted and two statements of opposition were withdrawn.

Approximately 150 kilometres of detailed route plans within Segments 3 & 4 that were not opposed by landowners or affected persons have now been approved by the NEB. Prior to beginning construction in these areas, the company must satisfy all applicable NEB pre-construction conditions.

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.

The NEB also placed 157 conditions on the project. While many conditions address the full lifespan of the pipeline, there are 98 pre-construction conditions applicable to various phases and components of the project. Canadians can monitor Trans Mountain's condition compliance through the NEB's interactive condition compliance tracker.

Participants in detailed route hearings may submit a claim directly to Trans Mountain for reasonable costs of their participation, and advance funding arrangements 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 granted a detailed route hearing.
  
  
• 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, or that are filed late, 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 detailed route 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 Segments 3 & 4 [A87886]
• Detailed Route Hearing video
• Rights & responsibilities of landowners snapshot
• Alternate Dispute Resolution snapshot
• Landowners' guide to Land Agreements

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