NEB to hear evidence for Trans Mountain Expansion Project

The National Energy Board will begin hearing oral traditional evidence from registered Aboriginal intervenors for the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project on Monday 25^th August in Edmonton. The hearings will begin at 9 am at the Edmonton Hotel & Convention Centre and the public is welcome to attend.

The Board recognises that Aboriginal peoples have an oral tradition for sharing stories, lessons, and knowledge from generation to generation. This information cannot always be shared adequately in writing yet it will make up an important component of the evidence the Panel will consider as it decides whether or not to recommend approving the Project.

Aboriginal intervenors may also file written evidence in addition to their oral traditional evidence. Other intervenors, Trans Mountain or the Board may ask participants questions about their oral traditional evidence. It is up to the individual Aboriginal groups to decide whether they will respond to any questions orally, in writing or both.

The hearings were originally scheduled to run throughout August. After receiving input from a number of Aboriginal groups, the Board amended its hearing schedule in order to avoid interfering with the salmon harvest, among other reasons. The Board will now hold four sessions to gather Aboriginal oral traditional evidence:

• Edmonton, AB - 25 August, 2014 – 5 September, 2014.
• Chilliwack, BC - 16 October, 2014 – 24 October, 2014.
• Kamloops, BC - 13 November, 2014 – 20 November, 2014.
• Victoria, BC - 24 November, 2014 – 28 November, 2014.

Details of these hearings and a daily schedule of appearances are available on the NEB website. Live audio from the hearing will be streamed through the NEB website.

Trans Mountain submitted its application to the Board on 16^th December 2013. The project would expand the existing Trans Mountain pipeline system in Alberta and British Columbia and include approximately 990 km of new pipeline, new and modified facilities, such as pump stations and tanks, and the reactivation of 193 km of existing pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby, BC. There would also be an expansion of the Westridge Marine Terminal. The application can be found on the NEB website.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/22082014/neb-to-hear-evidence-for-trans-mountain-expansio-project/