NEB Sets Hearings for Trans Mountain Expansion Project
Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) hearing panel for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project has issued the procedural direction announcing the details for the oral hearings.
The hearing panel recognizes that there is significant public interest in the proceedings and has decided to live webcast oral summary arguments for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project hearings in both video and audio, and in both official languages. This is the first time the NEB will use video for its live broadcast. The video will also be available on the website for download at the end of the day.
The hearing panel will hear oral summary argument for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project from Trans Mountain Pipelines on Aug. 24 in the NEB Hearing Room, Calgary, Alberta.
The projected expansion will cost approximately $5.4 billion and include approximately 994 km of new pipeline, reactivation of 193 km of pipeline, 12 new pump stations and 20 tanks to be added to existing storage terminals.
The proposed route is 73 percent in existing right of way, 17 percent will follow other linear infrastructure and 10 percent will be in new right of way. The existing line will carry refined products, synthetic crude oils, light crude oils with capability for heavy crude oils and the proposed new line to carry heavier oils with capability for transporting light crude oils.
From Sept. 9-30, 76 intervenors will deliver oral summary argument at the Delta Burnaby Hotel and Conference Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia. Follow this link to Procedural Direction #15 for list and schedule of speakers.
Oral summary argument will allow participants to summarize their views and opinions directly in front of the hearing panel that is assessing the Trans Mountain Expansion Project application. The hearing panel chose to hear oral summary argument from intervenors in Burnaby to facilitate maximum participation from intervenors in the hearing. Intervenors unable to deliver their oral argument in person may also choose to deliver it by phone.
The hearing panel wishes to provide a fair and safe opportunity for all participants that will be providing oral summary argument. Access to the hearing room will be limited to intervenors, Trans Mountain, and accredited media.
Intervenors and Trans Mountain may each have two representatives in the hearing room when the hearing is in session, regardless of whether they are presenting that day or simply watching the hearing. For more details on the oral hearing process, view Procedural Direction #15.
Tags: Canada, crude oil, Kinder Morgan, National Energy Board, NEB, Trans Mountain Pipeline
