Trudeau gov’t supports Trans Mountain appeal to NEB

The Government of Canada says it supports establishing a Standing Panel to determine if Kinder Morgan is complying with conditions imposed on the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project. Trans Mountain photo.

Trans Mountain appealed to NEB over local permits for project

Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Jim Carr released a statement Wednesday supporting Kinder Morgan’s appeal to the National Energy Board over obtaining local permits required for construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion.

“The Government has taken an important step to ensure that when a natural resource project is approved, it proceeds in a timely fashion and continues to generate economic benefits for all Canadians,” said Carr.

The company has faced a number of roadblocks from lower governments, as well as opposition from environmentalists and some First Nations.

This month, Kinder Morgan asked the NEB to allow it to bypass the city of Burnaby after the company was unable to obtain local permits.  The NEB has scheduled oral hearings in the matter on Wednesday.

Kinder Morgan is looking to set up a process to resolve potential disagreements with provinces or municipalities over the project.

On Tuesday, the Trudeau government filed a letter with the NEB indicating its support for establishing a Standing Panel which will determine if Kinder Morgan is complying with project conditions for the pipeline.

“The Government is supportive of establishing a process that would assist in resolving any conflicts over the issuance of municipal or provincial permits and avoid unnecessary delays to project construction or regulatory compliance,” Carr wrote.

The $7.4 billion project was approved by the Trudeau government one year ago today, on Nov. 29, 2016.

The TMX project is expected to go online in late 2019.