CALGARY, Dec. 5, 2011 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB or the
Board) announced today its decision to assess the Line 9 Reversal Phase
I application (the Project) submitted by Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
(Enbridge) in an oral public hearing.
The Board considers the Line 9 Reversal Phase I application to be a
standalone project because it does not depend on any future facilities
to proceed.
In its application, which was filed on 8 August 2011 under section 58 of
the National Energy Board Act, Enbridge is asking the NEB to approve the additions and modifications
required to allow the reversal of crude oil flow within a segment of
Line 9 - a 762-millimetre (30 inches) outside diameter crude oil
pipeline - from the Sarnia Terminal to the North Westover Station in
southwestern Ontario.
All proposed work would take place on existing Enbridge facilities and
surface leases, with no planned ground disturbance along the pipeline
right-of-way.
The shift in flow direction from west to east would see the pipeline
revert back to the direction that was originally approved in 1975. The
current westward flow has been in place since 1999.
The Board's Draft List of Issues and Draft Scope of the Environmental
Assessment (EA) are currently available for comment. Suggestions from
parties inviting the Board to consider amendments to these documents
should be filed with the Secretary of the Board, and a copy should be
served on Enbridge and its counsel no later than noon (MST), Thursday,
12 January 2012.
The Draft List of Issues includes the need for the project; the
engineering design and integrity of the pipeline, including the
potential effects of flow reversal; contingency planning for spills,
accidents or malfunctions, during construction and operation of the
pipeline; the potential environmental and socio-economic effects of the
project; the project's potential impacts on Aboriginal interests; and
its potential impacts on affected landowners.
Following the release of the final List of Issues and the final Scope of
the EA, the Board will provide detailed information on the various
means of public participation and invite interested persons and parties
to register their interest.
Public Information Sessions will be held beginning in January 2012 to
provide information on the hearing process and public participation. A
Process Advisor will be assigned to provide support to the members of
the public who participate in the NEB's hearing process.
The oral portion of the hearing will likely take place in the fall of
2012 at a location to be determined.
The Board also notes that financial assistance through the Participant
Funding Program (PFP) will be made available to applicants who meet the
criteria and can demonstrate a need to support their timely and
meaningful involvement in the proceeding. Specific information about
PFP and how it will apply to this proceeding will be announced
separately.
The NEB is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's
energy industry. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy
development and trade in the Canadian public interest.
This news release and Hearing Order OH-005-2011 are available on the
NEB's Internet site at www.neb-one.gc.ca under What's New!
The following resources are also available on the NEB's Internet site:
Under Major Applications and Projects, select Enbridge Line 9 Reversal Phase I
-
Draft List of Issues
-
Draft Scope of the Environmental Assessment
Email this
Share on Facebook
