Westcoast Energy Inc., doing business as Spectra Energy Transmission – Spruce Ridge Program

What’s New

  • 10 December, 2018 – NEB issues Letter Decision approving the Spruce Ridge Program [Filing A96562]
  • 26 April, 2018 – Spruce Ridge Program Hearing Order Issued [Filing A91521]

Project Overview

On October 19, 2017, Westcoast Energy Inc. (Westcoast) applied under section 58 of the National Energy Board Act, to build and operate two natural gas pipeline loops, totaling 38 kilometers, and the associated facilities. The Spruce Ridge Program (the Project) is located entirely in the province of British Columbia, on both Crown and private land within Treaty 8 boundaries. The Project consists of the following:

  • two natural gas pipeline loops; the Chetwynd Loop (25 km) and the Aitken Creek Loop (13 km) (see map below);
  • the addition of a new compressor unit at two compressor stations;
  • minor modifications at above ground facilities;
  • an increase in the maximum operating pressure for a portion of the existing Fort St. John Mainline Loop.

Both the Chetwynd Loop and the Aitken Creek Loop will parallel existing pipelines, as well as require new rights-of-way. The installation of the new compressor units and the minor modifications at two compressor stations will take place entirely within existing Westcoast-owned land.

Westcoast is proposing to start construction in July 2018, with an in-service date of August 2019.

Project Map

This map provides an overview of the Spruce Ridge Program.

Westcoast – Spruce Ridge Program Map

View larger PDF version [PDF 4641 KB]

Key Milestones

  • 26 April 2018 – Spruce Ridge Program Hearing Order Issued [Filing A91521]
  • March 14, 2018: Board determination that the Application for the Spruce Ridge Program is complete enough to proceed to assessment. [Filing A90572]
  • October 19, 2017: Project application is submitted [Filing A87033]

List of Issues

The preliminary list of issues outlines what will be considered in the review of this project, and maintains focus on the issues that are relevant to the NEB’s assessment.

If you are planning to apply for funding or to participate in the hearing, your input must be related to the issues on the list.

The NEB has identified the following issues for consideration in this hearing:

  1. The need for the proposed Project.
  2. The economic feasibility of the proposed Project.
  3. The potential commercial impacts of the proposed Project.
  4. The toll and tariff methodology.
  5. The potential environmental and socio-economic effects of the Project, including any cumulative environmental effects that are likely to result from the Project, including those required to be considered by the NEB’s Filing Manual.
  6. The appropriateness of the general route and land requirements for the proposed Project.
  7. The suitability of the design of the proposed Project.
  8. The terms and conditions to be included in any approval the Board may issue.
  9. Potential impacts of the Project on Aboriginal interests.
  10. Potential impacts of the Project on landowners and land use.
  11. Contingency planning for spills, accidents or malfunctions, during construction and operation of the Project.
  12. Safety and security during construction of the Project and operation of the Project, including emergency response planning and third-party damage prevention.

Apply to Participate

Attention

Email is not a valid method of filing regulatory documents with the NEB. Applications to participate received by email will not be considered.

To be a participant in a NEB hearing process, you must be directly affected or have relevant information or expertise.

The application to participate process was held from February 28 – April 9, 2018, and is now closed.

Support for Participants

Process Advisor

The main role of a process advisor is to provide information to the general public and support to participants in the hearing. They can also answer questions about the NEB’s process.

You can contact a process advisor by calling 1-800-899-1265 (toll free).

Participant Funding Program

Participant Funding is available for this hearing. Refer to the Participant Funding Program page for information on deadlines, eligibility, how to apply for funding and how to submit claims.

News Release

  • 27 April 2018
    Spruce Ridge Program Hearing Order Issued

Contacts

For media inquiries, please contact:

Chantal Macleod
Communications Officer
Canada Energy Regulator
Email: chantal.macleod@cer-rec.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-966-5036
Telephone: 403-292-4800
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803

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