Busiest Year on Record for National Energy Board

09/07
For immediate release
20 April 2009

Busiest Year on Record for National Energy Board

CALGARY - The National Energy Board’s (NEB or Board) 2008 Annual Report, tabled in parliament today, reports that the NEB received more applications and presided over more public hearings in 2008 than any other year in NEB history.

The Board considered applications for new pipeline facilities, tolls and tariffs filings, activities on frontier lands, as well as export and import licences, and orders. A number of applications to expand the capacity of the oil pipeline system were also considered by the Board. In total, there were 17 public proceedings in 2008.

"I am truly proud of the work that the NEB accomplished in 2008," said Chair Gaétan Caron. "The NEB takes a responsible approach to regulation, protecting Canada’s environment, while at the same time working to improve the quality of life for all Canadians."

Spurred by record high oil and gas prices, over $127 billion worth of crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas liquids and natural gas was shipped through NEB-regulated pipelines in 2008. In addition, NEB-regulated international power lines transported over $3 billion of electricity, demonstrating the huge economic value that pipeline and power transmission systems bring to Canadians.

The report outlined how a busier pipeline construction year led to a corresponding increase in safety incidents. NEB inspectors doubled their compliance monitoring activities, performing audits, inspections and investigations.

"We are continually working with industry and our regulatory partners to improve our processes, and identify ways to reduce these incidents," Caron said. "Our goal is to provide safe and secure delivery of energy to Canadians in a way that protects the environment, and the rights of those affected."

The report highlights a number of activities, initiatives and partnerships that support this goal, including:

• Forging partnerships with other government agencies and organisations;
• Enhancing Aboriginal Engagement;
• Engaging landowners and industry to discuss on land matters;
• Organizing Pipeline Integrity Management Workshops; and
• Developing Security Standards with the Canadian Standards Association.

The report also states that, in addition to meeting all but one of its Service Standards, the NEB was recognized nationally for being one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, one of Alberta's Top 40 employers, and as one of Canada's Top 20 Family Friendly workplaces.

Celebrating 50 years of regulatory leadership, 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:

Tara O'Donovan (tara.odonovan@neb-one.gc.ca)
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
Telephone: 403-299-3371
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Telecopier: 403-292-5503
Telecopier (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

Related documents:

• 2008 Annual Report
• Annual Report 2008 to Parliament [PDF 11951 KB]
• 2008 Annual Report - Interactive Bilingual Version [PDF 64239 KB]

For a copy of documents:

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