The National Energy Board – from Application to Abandonment, Providing Life-Cycle Protection of Aquatic Resources for Neb Regulated Projects

The National Energy Board (NEB) is the Canadian federal agency that regulates energy facilities such as international and inter-provincial pipelines and international power lines. This responsibility goes beyond reviewing a project application. Part of the NEB’s mandate, among other responsibilities, is to oversee and monitor the different physical aspects of an energy facility including engineering, safety and environmental protection throughout the facility’s lifecycle.  An integral part of the Board’s environmental protection mandate includes a strong emphasis on watercourses where fish and fish habitat could potentially be impacted by a new or existing facility.

The Board's environmental oversight consists of confirming that the environment is protected during all phases of a facility’s lifecycle, from the early stages of its planning, throughout the construction, operation and abandonment of the facility.  The NEB has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Fisheries & Oceans Canada regarding the assessment of applications and the monitoring of construction and operation of NEB-regulated facilities.  This builds on the NEB’s long-standing focus on fish and fish habitat at watercourse crossings.  From the design of a project to its abandonment, the NEB holds companies accountable for safety and protection of the environment.