ARCHIVED – Questions and Answers: Pipeline Damage Prevention Framework Update

1. Why is the National Energy Board (NEB) amending its regulations for pipeline damage prevention?
2. What are the updates that are being proposed?
3. What will be carried forward from the NEB’s 2014 proposed amendments?
4. Are the current damage prevention regulatory requirements still in force?
5. How can I provide input on the update?

Q1. Why is the National Energy Board (NEB) amending its regulations for pipeline damage prevention?

The Pipeline Safety Act (PSA) amends the NEB Act. The NEB must update its regulations for pipeline damage prevention by June 2016 as a result of these amendments.

Q2. What are the updates that are being proposed?

There are three main updates being proposed. In general terms, they are:

• Modernizing the language used in the pipeline damage prevention regulations while maintaining the current intent of the regulations. This will include modern sentence structure, syntax and positive structure.
• Amending the regulations to reflect the legislative changes made to the National Energy Board Act by the Pipeline Safety Act. These include:
1. defining the term ‘prescribed area’;
2. identifying the measures required to perform ‘ground disturbance’ activities within the prescribed area; and
3. identifying the measures required to cross a pipeline by vehicle or mobile equipment.
• Amending the regulations to reflect the results of the last public consultation period that was conducted in September 2014. This will include:
  1. mandatory membership in one-call centres by NEB-regulated pipeline companies;
  2. the requirement for third parties to initiate a locate request through their nearest one-call centre, where one exists;
  3. moving the intent of MO-21-2010 An Exemption Order Respecting Crossings by Agricultural Vehicles or Mobile Equipment into the regulations; and
  4. for NEB-regulated pipeline companies to have a damage prevention program within their management system.

Q3. What will be carried forward from the NEB’s 2014 proposed amendments?

See bullet #3 in Question #2 for the answer.

Q4. Are the current damage prevention regulatory requirements still in force?

Yes. The current damage prevention regulations are:

• National Energy Board Pipeline Crossings Regulations, Part I
• National Energy Board Pipeline Crossings Regulations, Part II
• National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations
• National Energy Board Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations

Q5. How can I provide input on the update?

The closing date for input is Friday 13 November 2015. Please see the ‘Letter to Interested Parties’ for more information.

Date modified:

2020-09-29