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NEB releases Draft Damage Prevention Regulations Guidance Notes for comment

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News Release

03/26
For immediate release
14 November 2003

NEB releases Draft Damage Prevention Regulations Guidance Notes for comment

CALGARY - The National Energy Board is seeking comment on the Draft Guidance Notes for the National Energy Board Damage Prevention Regulations. This document contains the draft legal text of the Board's proposed Damage Prevention Regulations and the proposed guidance. The deadline for written comments is 31 March 2004.

The Damage Prevention Regulations will eventually govern all activities that could damage a pipeline, including vehicle and mobile equipment crossings. They will apply to pipeline companies as well as a significant number of Canadians who own land crossed by a pipeline or who undertake activities that could damage a pipeline.

The Damage Prevention Regulations reflect the Board's continued advancement in the development of goal-oriented regulations. As such, a key component is the ability to assess compliance through audits of pipeline company records, practices and procedures. Where an audit reveals non-compliance, the pipeline company must take corrective action.

The Board has introduced a draft schedule of penalties for violations ranging in value from $250 to $500 per incident for dangerous non-compliance. Also being considered is the annual publication of offences and fines, including a description of the offence, the amount of the fine and the name of the person or pipeline company to whom the fine was issued.

The Guidance Notes are intended to provide additional information that will assist readers in understanding their regulatory obligations and the expectations of the NEB with respect to safe and reliable operation of Canada's pipeline infrastructure.

The release of the Guidance Notes follows extensive consultation over the past 18 months with representatives of the pipeline industry, underground utilities, landowners, municipal and provincial authorities, industry associations, One-Call organizations and the general public.

The Board intends to meet with interested parties to discuss the content of the Guidance Notes between January and March 2004.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety and security, environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in the Canadian public interest, within the mandate set by Parliament in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade.

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For further information:

Denis Tremblay
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
Telephone: 403-299-2717
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

Document:

The Publications Office
National Energy Board
444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0X8
E-mail: publications@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-299-3562
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Telecopier: 403-292-5576
Telecopier (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663

 

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Date Modified:
2011-10-28