For immediate release
6 March 2014
CALGARY -The National Energy Board today released its Reasons for Decision for the Line 9B Reversal and Line 9 Capacity Expansion Project (Project) application submitted by Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (Enbridge). The Board has approved the Project with conditions, but denied Enbridge’s request for exemption from leave to open requirements.
The Board’s decision enables Enbridge to react to market forces and provide benefits to Canadians, while at the same time implementing the Project in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner.
In its application, Enbridge requested approval from the Board to reverse the direction of flow on a 639 kilometer segment of pipeline located between North Westover, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec, as well as approval to increase the overall capacity from 240,000 to 300,000 barrels per day of the Line 9 pipeline from Sarnia to Montreal. Enbridge also requested a revision to its Line 9 Rules and Regulations Tariff to allow for the transportation of heavy crude oil.
As a result of the Board’s decision, Enbridge will be permitted to operate all of Line 9 in an eastward direction in order to transport crude oil from western Canada and the U.S. Bakken region to refineries in Ontario and Quebec.
Previously in a 27 July 2012 decision the Board approved the reversal of the western portion of Line 9, a 194 kilometer segment linking Sarnia to North Westover, Ontario.
During the Board’s hearing process it heard concerns from Participants regarding pipeline integrity, spills and emergency response, and regarding Enbridge’s consultation efforts.
The Board’s approval is subject to conditions set out in the Orders and described in the accompanying Reasons for Decision. For example, the Board’s conditions require Enbridge to undertake activities regarding pipeline integrity, emergency response, and continued consultation. The Board’s Reasons for Decision and conditions also make reference to Enbridge’s ongoing emergency response planning and consultation with municipalities, first responders and Aboriginal groups.
The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.
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Relevant documentation:
Carole Léger-Kubeczek
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
E-mail: carole.leger-kubeczek@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-221-3465
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663
Related documents:
For a copy of the Reasons for Decision OH-002-2013:
National Energy Board Library
Ground Floor
444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0X8
E-mail: library@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-299-3561
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5576
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663
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