Canada's National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) released Hearing Order OH-1-2011, announcing that it intends to hold a public hearing to consider an application submitted by Enbridge Bakken Pipeline Company Inc. (Enbridge Bakken) for the proposed Bakken Pipeline Canada Project (Bakken Pipeline Project).
The oral part of the hearing process is scheduled to start on Tuesday, 4 October 2011, at a location to be determined.
The application is for a pipeline that would transport crude oil from the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana to refinery markets in North America via a connection with the existing Enbridge Pipelines Inc. (EPI) mainline near Cromer, Manitoba.
The Bakken Pipeline Project would consist of constructing and operating a new 406.4 millimeter outside diameter pipeline measuring 123.4 kilometers in length, from the new Bakken Pump Station near Steelman, Saskatchewan, to the EPI Cromer Terminal. Enbridge Bakken has also applied to the Board for the acquisition and operation of Line EX-02 from its current owner, Enbridge Pipelines (Westspur) Inc.
The Enbridge Bakken Project, if approved, would have an in service date of early 2013 and its capital cost is estimated at approximately $180.1 million.
The NEB has identified a number of issues to be discussed during the proceeding. Among others, these include the need for and the economic feasibility of the proposed facilities, the suitability of design of the proposed facilities, the potential environmental and socio-economic effects, and the method of toll and tariff regulation.
Any person wishing to participate in this hearing process may do so in one of three ways:
- by filing an application to intervene with the Secretary of the Board and serving a copy on Enbridge Bakken and its counsel by 29 April 2011;
- by filing a letter of comment with the Secretary of the Board and serving a copy on Enbridge Bakken and its counsel by 30 June 2011; or
- by filing a letter with the Secretary of the Board requesting the opportunity to make an oral statement and serving a copy on Enbridge Bakken and its counsel by 30 June 2011.
Upon request, the Board may hold a public information session prior to the public hearing, at a location to be determined. Interested persons should file a letter, no later than 18 April 2011, to advise the Board of their interest in having a public information session.
Any member of the public is welcome to attend the public information session. These sessions are not a forum for discussing the merits or substance of the application, but are intended to assist people to better understand and participate in the Board's hearing process.
Please visit the NEB website for general information about the hearing process and how you can participate effectively. To access the information, go to www.neb-one.gc.ca, select Hearings and Information Sessions, and then click on Participate in a Public Hearing.
The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest.
