About the National Energy Board

As the project unfolds, TransCanada will be engaging in many ways with stakeholders to meet NEB expectations and satisfy the public interest. These will include NEB public consultations and open houses organized by TransCanada. TransCanada welcomes the input of all local stakeholders along the route. Your information and participation will be an integral part of the process.

Federal Regulation

Interprovincial pipelines are federally regulated and fall under the jurisdiction of Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB). Specific areas of NEB oversight include:

• Construction and operation of interprovincial and international pipelines and power lines
• Pipeline traffic, tolls and tariffs
• Export/import of natural gas
• Export of oil and electricity
• Frontier oil and gas activities

Approvals

To obtain approval for the Energy East Pipeline TransCanada must apply to the NEB for:

• Sale of pipeline assets from Canadian Mainline to Energy East
• Conversion of gas pipeline to oil service
• Construction of new oil pipeline facilities
• Certificate to own and operate new and converted facilities
• Approval of tariff and tolling methodology

Releases

NEB regulations include strict rules about sharing information in advance of submitting a pipeline project for review. TransCanada is required to release information on:

• Public, landowner and Aboriginal consultation
• Potential environmental and socio-economic effect assessment
• Economics
• Lands

Learn more on the NEB’s website or call the NEB at 1-800-899-1265.

Regulatory Process

1. Pre-Application

• Proponent submits a project description to the National Energy Board in advance of an application. This triggers a consideration of whether CEAA 2012 is likely to apply and determines the scope of likely interested and impacted parties from government to First Nations.

2. Hearing Process

• Proponent submits an application to the National Energy Board. The application includes an environmental and socio-economic impact assessment to meet the requirements of both the National Energy Board and CEAA 2012, if it applies.
• The National Energy Board establishes the process that will be followed by issuing a hearing order
• Parties can apply for intervener status in the process allowing them the opportunity to submit evidence.
• Oral hearing and argument.
• NEB submits its reports to Cabinet, including matters related to environmental assessment conducted under CEAA 2012, if applicable.
• Cabinet issues its decision and directs the NEB to either issue or not issue the certificate enabling the project to go ahead, with conditions.

3. Post Decision

• Detailed route hearing if required to resolve matters of timing and location related to individual properties or areas.
• Pre-construction conditions satisfied, permits obtained.

4. Construction

• Construction begins!