Hearing set for proposed route realignment in Chilliwack section of Trans Mountain Expansion

August 31, 2017 – Calgary – National Energy Board

The National Energy Board (NEB) will hold a route realignment hearing in Chilliwack, BC in early 2018, to review a proposal by Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC to relocate nearly two kilometres of the previously approved general pipeline corridor within the city.

If approved, the Chilliwack BC Hydro Route Realignment (Chilliwack Realignment) would vary the approved general pipeline corridor of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project by relocating it to be within the existing Trans Mountain pipeline right of way.

When the Federal Government approved the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in late November, 2016, the resulting certificate included a general pipeline corridor from Edmonton through to Burnaby, B.C. Under section 21 of the National Energy Board Act, the company may apply to the NEB for a variation to the previously-approved general pipeline corridor.

In total, the company submitted seven proposed route variances along the entire general pipeline corridor. Following a comment period, the NEB determined that the Chilliwack Realignment will be granted a public hearing. More details of the proposed variances can be found on the NEB website.

The Chilliwack Realignment hearing will examine the proposed alternative route, including the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of the realignment.

Applications to participate are available now on the NEB’s website. The deadline to apply to participate is September 21, 2017.

Funding is available to hearing participants to reduce potential financial impediments to public participation. More information on the Participant Funding Program and how to access it can be found on the NEB’s website.

Quick Facts

  • The Federal Government approved the Trans Mountain Expansion Project last November, following a NEB recommendation in May 2016 that the project be approved subject to 157 conditions.
  • The company’s seven proposed route variances affect approximately four km of the 1,147 km pipeline corridor. The Chilliwack Realignment impacts 1.8 km of pipeline corridor.
  • During the comment period, the NEB received letters from two groups – the City of Chilliwack and The WaterWealth Project – stating concerns with the proposed Chilliwack Realignment.
  • The approved general corridor is located within a BC Hydro corridor between 500 kV overhead transmission lines. The variance being requested is 500 metres shorter than the approved general corridor and is to be located in the existing pipeline right-of-way.

Quotes

“After hearing from the public that there were concerns about the proposed Chilliwack Realignment, the NEB has decided to hold an oral hearing to hear those concerns and receive evidence. This will ensure the NEB has all the information it needs to make a decision in the public interest.”
– Peter Watson, Chair & CEO, National Energy Board.

Associated Links

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry. It regulates pipelines, energy development and trade in the public interest with safety as its primary concern. For more information on the NEB and its mandate,please visit the National Energy Board website.

– 30 –

Contact

James Stevenson
Communications Officer
Canada Energy Regulator
Email: james.stevenson@cer-rec.gc.ca
Cell: 403-613-6126
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803

Date modified: