ARCHIVED – Enbridge Pipelines Inc. - Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project - OH-005-2011

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Project Information

In its application, which was filed on 8 August 2011 under section 58 of the National Energy Board Act, Enbridge is asking the NEB to approve the additions and modifications required to allow the reversal of crude oil flow within a segment of Line 9 - a 762-millimetre (30 inches) outside diameter crude oil pipeline - from the Sarnia Terminal to the North Westover Station in southwestern Ontario.

All proposed work would take place on existing Enbridge facilities and surface leases, with no planned ground disturbance along the pipeline right-of-way.

The shift in flow direction from west to east would see the pipeline revert back to the direction that was originally approved in 1975. The current westward flow has been in place since 1999.

Map of Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project

Hearing Update

The oral portion of the hearing was completed on 24 May 2012. The record for the proceeding is now closed and the Board has released its decision: Letter Decision OH-005-2012 [Filing A43137].

NEB Process Information

Printed copies of the publications listed below can also be ordered from the NEB Library by calling 403-299-3561 or (toll free) 1-800-899-1265, by sending an e-mail to publications@cer-rec.gc.ca or by filling out the online contact form.

Public Information Sessions

The NEB held three Public Information Sessions in early February 2012.

  • National Energy Board Information Session - Enbridge Line 9 Reversal - Phase I Project - February 2012

Process Advisor - Support for Hearing Participants

The NEB has assigned a Process Advisor for this project. The Process Advisor’s role is to support the public (e.g., landowners, concerned citizens, environmental non-governmental organizations) and Aboriginal groups who are participating in public hearings.

For more information, please contact us by calling (toll free) 1-800-899-1265.

Participant Funding

The NEB is making available $165,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist landowners, Aboriginal groups, incorporated non-industry not-for-profit organizations, and other interested parties to participate in the regulatory process for the proposed project.

The deadline to submit a funding application is now passed.

  • General Information
  • 2012-02-29
    Allocation of Funds for Participation in the Public Hearing for the Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project

News Releases

  • 2012-07-27
    NEB approves Enbridge application to reverse Line 9 flow
  • 2012-03-07
    Funding Awarded for Participation in the Regulatory Process for the Enbridge Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project
  • 2011-12-14
    Funding available to participate in the NEB’s regulatory process on Enbridge’s Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project
  • 2011-12-05
    NEB decides Enbridge's Line 9 reversal application will go to an oral public hearing

Updated Timetable of Events

Event Reference from Procedural Update No. 2 Person Responsible Deadline
(noon, Calgary time)
Written evidence of Intervenors Paragraph 8 Intervenors 23 April 2012
File Letters of Comment Paragraph 9 Interested persons 23 April 2012
Information requests to Intervenors Paragraph 10 Board, Enbridge and Intervenors 27 April 2012
Responses to information requests Paragraph 11 Intervenors 11 May 2012
Request copy of draft Environmental Screening Report (ESR) Paragraph 15 Interested persons 11 May 2012
File affidavit to swear in evidence Paragraph 12 Enbridge and Intervenors 22 May 2012
File written final argument Paragraph 13 Parties wishing to make final argument in writing 22 May 2012
Begin oral argument portion of the hearing Paragraph 14 Board and all Parties 23 May 2012
start time to be confirmed
Release draft ESR for comment Paragraph 15 Board shortly after the oral portion of the hearing
File and serve comments on draft ESR Paragraph 15 Interested persons fourteen days from release of draft ESR
File and serve comments on draft ESR Paragraph 15 Enbridge seventeen days from release of draft ESR

List of Issues

The National Energy Board (Board) has identified but does not limit itself to the following issues for discussion in this hearing:

  1. The need for the proposed Project.
  2. The potential commercial impacts of the proposed Project.
  3. The potential environmental and socio-economic effects of the proposed Project, as defined in Paragraph 1 of Hearing Order OH-005-2011, and including those to be considered under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
  4. The engineering design and integrity of the pipeline, including the potential effects of flow reversal.
  5. Contingency planning for spills, accidents or malfunctions, during construction and operation of the pipeline.
  6. Safety and security during construction of the proposed Project and operation of the pipeline, including emergency response planning and third-party damage prevention.
  7. Consultation with Aboriginal groups and the potential impacts of the proposed Project on Aboriginal interests.
  8. Consultation with affected landowners and the potential impacts of the proposed Project on landowners and land use
  9. The terms and conditions to be included in any approval the Board may issue.

Regulatory Documents

The period to file Letters of Comment is now closed.

Contact Information

Christine Beauchemin
Co-Counsel

Canada Energy Regulator
Email: christine.beauchemin@cer-rec.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-292-6489
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803

Media Relations Team
Canada Energy Regulator
Email: media@cer-rec.gc.ca
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

Applicant's Website

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