Calgary/Burnaby/Fraser Valley – The National Energy Board (NEB) announced on Wednesday, that it will hold a public hearing to carry out its reconsideration related to the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
The NEB has assigned a panel, opened up the application-to-participate process, and is seeking comment on the focus and design of the upcoming hearing. Board Members assigned to the hearing panel are Lyne Mercier (presiding), Alison Scott, and Murray Lytle.
James Stevenson, Communications Officer with the National Energy Board told FVN that a site for the public hearing has yet to be determined, although with only 155 days to put together the federally mandated report, time is of the essence.
It is expected that the hearing would be in Burnaby, considering that the Kinder Morgan/Trans Mountain refinery is in that city.
On September 20, the Government of Canada referred aspects of the Board’s May 2016 recommendation report – related to the application of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) and the Species at Risk Act to Project-related marine shipping – back to the NEB for reconsideration. The Government has directed the NEB to complete the reconsideration process and issue its resulting report no later than February 22, 2019.
The NEB is now seeking public comments on, among other things, the draft amended factors and scope of the factors for the environmental assessment under the CEAA 2012; the draft list of issues to be considered in the hearing; and on the design of the hearing process itself.
The deadline for filing comments on the above, and for applying or registering to participate in the hearing, is October 3.
Peter Watson, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Board stated: “The NEB will carry out its reconsideration related to the Trans Mountain Expansion Project as directed by the Order in Council, and in a fair, efficient, and accessible manner. I am confident in the NEB’s ability to complete a thorough examination of the matters directed by the Government within the required timeline.”
