NEB: new order on pipeline emergency procedures manuals

The National Energy Board (NEB) is the first North American regulator to require pipeline companies to publish their oil and gas emergency procedures manuals online. The NEB has issued a board order that directs NEB-regulated pipeline companies to publish their emergency procedures manuals online for public viewing by 30 September 2016.

Companies are required to publish all emergency procedure manual information online, with the exception of information that would compromise infrastructure protection and personal security and safety. Although excluded from online availability, they remain in company emergency procedures manuals provided to first responders and to the NEB.

The order reflects the NEB’s continued commitment to openness and transparency regarding regulatory operations that protect public safety and the environment.

Highlights of the order

This order applies to both oil and gas pipeline systems with a few exceptions for small systems.

Companies must post the entirety of their emergency procedures manuals on their company’s public internet site except companies may protect information, including:

• Personal information, such as names, medical and contact information.
• Security information such as information where there is a risk that its disclosure will impair the security of a pipeline.
• Species at risk and heritage resources information such as the location of Indigenous traditional land use sites, archaeological sites or paleontological sites.

The order also calls for an update of published emergency procedures manuals as changes are being made.

“The NEB continues to set a very high bar for transparency and openness. Canadians deserve to have this important information. They also deserve to know that the NEB provides strict regulatory oversight of pipeline safety and environmental protection through the entire life of every NEB-regulated pipeline,” stated NEB Chair and CEO, Peter Watson.

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/06042016/neb-new-order-on-pipeline-emergency-procedures-manuals/