Canada’s national energy regulator is expected to release a list of topics later today to be considered in its review of the Energy East pipeline, which could for the first time include broad consideration of upstream and downstream emissions.
The National Energy Board invited public input last spring on topics that should be considered during upcoming hearings, including the issue of greenhouse gas emissions related to increased consumption of oil from completion of the 4,500-kilometre conduit.
The original Energy East review was derailed in September 2016 after members of the regulatory panel overseeing the hearings resigned amid questions about a potential conflict of interest.
The proposed 4,500-kilometre Energy East pipeline would carry more than a million barrels a day of Canadian crude from Alberta to refineries and export terminals in Atlantic Canada. (The Canadian Press)
In January, the NEB invalidated nearly two years of decisions made by the previous panel, a setback for TransCanada’s $15.7-billion development. A new panel was appointed.
Energy East as proposed would carry 1.1 million barrels of crude per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada and an export marine terminal in New Brunswick.
The Energy East review is taking place at the same time that the government considers a sweeping overhaul of the NEB following a report in May that said the system is broken and the NEB should be split into two agencies.