CALGARY – The Joint Review Panel (the Panel) conducting the review of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project has issued potential conditions for the project, should it be approved to proceed. The potential conditions have been developed based on the evidentiary record, including all oral and written submissions.
The potential conditions address all aspects of the proposed project including engineering, spill response, socio-economic and environmental requirements. The potential conditions can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.gatewaypanel.review.gc.ca.
The Panel has not made any decisions on whether or not to recommend approval of the proposed project. The publication of potential conditions is a standard step in the hearing process that is mandated by the courts. This permits all parties (intervenors, government participants and the applicant) to provide comments and to suggest additional conditions for the Panel's consideration.
The purpose of conditions is to mitigate the risks and effects posed by a project so that it is designed, constructed and operated in a safe manner that protects human health and the environment. If the proposed project is approved, the company will have to fulfill each condition. The National Energy Board is responsible for verifying and enforcing compliance of all conditions.
Parties wishing to provide comments or propose additional conditions must submit their comments with their filed written final arguments by 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on 31 May 2013. Parties will have the opportunity to address the comments of other parties on the proposed conditions during oral final argument in Terrace, British Columbia beginning on 17 June 2013.
The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project involves the construction of two 1 170-kilometre pipelines running from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal.
The Joint Review Panel for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the National Energy Board. The Panel will assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the application under both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and the National Energy Board Act.
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