Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) has recommended the approval of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in its recently released Reconsideration Report. The NEB ruled the project – the construction of a second pipeline – to be in the public interest, pointing to job and revenue creation. The pipeline expansion has met with significant opposition, including from First Nations groups, and concern has been raised over its environmental impact. The Reconsideration Report acknowledges the significant negative impact marine vessels associated with the project would have on the Southern resident killer whale and on Indigenous cultural use associated with the whale, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions they would cause. The NEB Report includes 156 conditions which must be complied with if the pipeline extension is approved.
“As indicated in the NEB’s report, the NEB has delivered a comprehensive, evidence-based, fair and meaningful review of Project-related marine shipping, within the timeline required by the Government of Canada,” commented Dr Robert Steedman, chief environment officer of the National Energy Board. “The NEB listened to a range of diverse views and carefully considered all of the evidence submitted, the results of which are reflected in the conclusions, conditions and recommendations presented in the report.”
