Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

National Energy Board Hearing Draws Small, But Attentive Crowd

By 250 News

NEB reps start the Open House with presentation on the Board's mandate

Just eight city residents braved bitterly cold temperatures to spend their Friday evening at the Civic Centre, taking in an Open house hosted by the National Energy Board.

It was the third and final stop on a swing through north-central B.C..  20 people turned out to the first session in Kitimat on Monday and Wednesday's event in Burns Lake drew a dozen attendees.

National Energy Board Spokesperson, Chantale Simons says it's the first time the board has gone out to a region, before an application for a pipeline project has been received.

"Because of elevated interest in the region, here, around a few potential pipeline projects, we thought we'd be more responsive to that interest by coming out and introducing ourselves in a more generic way."

The National Energy Board regulates pipeline projects that cross provincial and international borders to ensure public safety, individual rights, environmental integrity and shippers' rights are protected.  Simons says once the board approves a project, it also has an oversight mandate and will carry out inspections and audits through the life of the pipeline.

Simons says the majority of questions raised during the open houses have centred around the proposed Enbridge pipeline.  "No, Enbridge, has not filed their application with us as of yet, we are expecting it in the near future," she says.

When, and if, that does occur, the NEB will then hold more formal hearings.  "We will definitely set out information sessions in the various communities that would most likely be directly impacted by that project and share information about how to participate in that process."






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