The Joint Review Panel (the Panel) established to review the proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion Project has determined that it has sufficient information to proceed to a public hearing. The Panel’s decision is based on its review of the Environmental Impact Statement/Application and additional information including supplementary information responses provided by the proponent, Shell Canada Energy, as well as comments received and all other information available on the public registry. The Panel appreciated the time and efforts of those who have provided very detailed comments during the consultation period on the Environmental Impact Statement/Application and on the additional information filed by the proponent. The Panel is of the view that although additional information is required from the proponent, the required information is minor in nature. The Panel has provided a list of additional information required from the proponent before the hearing and in its letter of August 16, 2012, Shell Canada Energy has made a commitment to provide the requested information by September 7, 2012.
The hearing of the Joint Review Panel (Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) Application No. 1554388) will commence on October 29, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at MacDonald Island Park, 1 C.A Knight Way in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Interveners to this proceeding must be present at the commencement of the hearing to register their appearance. If you wish to register for the hearing but are unable to attend the first day of the hearing, please contact the Panel Secretariat at the address indicated below.
The public hearing will give interested individuals and organizations an opportunity to question the proponent about its Environmental Impact Statement/Application and supporting information and to provide their views to the Panel.
If you have an interest in this project and wish to file a submission or submit evidence at the hearing, you must file your submission no later than October 1, 2012.
Your submissions must include a copy of any documentary evidence that you intend to present and/or rely on at the hearing (including, but not limited to, a copy of any expert reports) and a summary of any evidence you intend to present. Please file your submission and evidence to:
Joint Review Panel Secretariat
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
Shell.Reviews@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Under Section 25 of the ERCB Rules of Practice, a person who intends to raise a question of constitutional law before the Panel must give notice in accordance with Section 12 of the Administrative Procedures and Jurisdiction Act and its regulation. Questions of constitutional law must be sent to the Panel Secretariat, to the address indicated above, no later than October 1, 2012. These questions, if any are received, will be addressed the week prior to the start of the hearing, on October 23, starting at 9 a.m., at MacDonald Island Park. The Panel will issue further directions regarding the process for any questions of constitutional law to the parties interested in the questions. To obtain further information, contact the Panel Secretariat at the address indicated above.
All documents related to the Environmental Impact Statement/Application are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca under reference number 59540. A backgrounder with additional information on the joint review process and how to participate is also available in the Registry. Copies of the Environmental Impact Statement/Application and other related documents are also available for public viewing at the following location:
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Fort McMurray Regional Office
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
9915 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB
Documents filed in respect of this proceeding must be placed on the public record; however, in accordance with Section 13 of the ERCB Rules of Practice and Section 45(4) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, any party may apply for confidentiality of information before the information is filed. The Panel may grant a request for confidentiality on terms it considers appropriate.
Shell Canada Energy is proposing to expand the Jackpine Mine project. The expansion would include additional mining areas and associated processing facilities, utilities and infrastructure. The project would be located about 70 km north of Fort McMurray on the east side of the Athabasca River. The expansion project would increase bitumen production by 100,000 barrels per day, bringing production at the mine to 300,000 barrels per day.
Issued by the Joint Review Panel on August 17, 2012.
