Environmental Management A ssociation of B.C. February 20, 2014
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Transcript of Environmental Management A ssociation of B.C. February 20, 2014
Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project
Presentation by Jeff Green, Steve Jasper and Linda Postlewaite
Environmental Management Association of B.C.
February 20, 2014
Overview
1 The Project
2 Regulatory Process
3 Challenges
4 Environmental Management and Protection
5 Closing Thoughts
Northern Gateway
One of the Largest Infrastructure Projects in Canada.
1
Enbridge Northern Gateway Project
• 1170 km long twin pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat British Columbia
• 36” oil pipe carries 525,000 bbls/d west• 20” condensate pipe carries 193,000 BBLs/d
east• Pipeline includes multiple pump stations,
associated power lines, and access roads• Pipeline also includes two 13 m diameter bored
tunnels with a combined length of 14 km• Pipeline ends at a 19 tank land terminal in
Kitimat• Marine berth will handle Suezmax to VLCC
tankers• Primary markets are Asia and western USA
Specialized Pipeline Aspects
• Routing• Tunnels to avoid difficult terrain• Use of thick walled pipe• Use of shut-off valves at major watercourse
crossings• Variable depth burial relative to integrity risk• Use of containment structures in some areas• Regular smart pig inspection
Kitimat Terminal
7
Marine Transportation Routes
Marine Transportation• Approximately 440 ship
transits/year • Double hulled tankers• Laden vessels escorted by
tethered tugs (CCAA)• All vessels have separate tug
escort• New navigation systems and
aids
Regulatory Process2
Regulatory Drivers
National Energy Board (NEB) Acto Inter-provincial pipelineo Export of hydrocarbons
Canadian Environmental Assessment Acto Law List (DFO, NEB, Transport Canada)
Referral under Section 25 of CEAA to a Joint Review Panel (JRP): 2 members from the NEB 1 member from CEA Agency
JRP for Northern Gateway
Ken Bateman Sheila Leggett Hans Matthews
Schedule and Milestones
Schedule and Milestones cont’d• JRP Decision Report issued on 19
December 2013• The JRP recommended approval of the
Project subject to 209 conditions; specifically the JRP stated:
“We have concluded that the project would be in the public interest. We find the project’s potential benefits for Canada and Canadians outweigh the potential burdens and risks.”
Next Steps• Federal government now has 180 days to
decide if it will accept the NEB’s recommendation.
• During early 2014, CEA Agency will consult with First Nations on the JRP recommendations and conditions
• Governor in Council can request that the JRP reconsider its recommendation or any of its terms or conditions.
• If directed by GC, the NEB will issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
• The final conditions will form part of the CPCN.
Next Steps• Once the CPCN is issued, NGP will still
have to file and seek approval on a very large number of permits pertaining to:• Land tenure• Clearing and construction• Environmental protection, mitigation and
compensation
• Many of these will require consultation with Aboriginal groups and directly affected stakeholders (e.g., land owners, trappers, guides)
TERMPOL
• Transport Canada process for marine terminals and transportation
• Completed process voluntarily by May 2011
• Accepted and approved by Transport Canada
• TERMPOL documents submitted as supporting document to ESA
Challenges3
Challenges
• Terrestrial Environment• 5 ecozones from Alberta
to coastal BC• Different terrain and
ecosystems
• Marine Environment• Unprecedented scope:
Territorial Sea of Canada (inside channels and sounds as well as open water)
• Diverse marine ecosystem
• Multiple users
Challenges• Aboriginal Political Landscape• Over 50 Aboriginal Communities along pipeline• ~10 Aboriginal Communities with coastal interests• Virtually no treaties in British Columbia except Treaty 8• Rights and title for most groups not legally defined
• ENGO Heavy Oil Campaign• US and Canada campaign to shut down oil sands• Focus on stopping any new shipping options• Tied to stopping oil sands use in US
• Media• Large size & profile led to substantial media attention• Sensationalist approach by some• Difficult to get balanced and impartial views on real science
Challenges• Accidents and
Malfunctions• Exxon Valdez (1989)
coupled with BC ferry sinking in CCAA (2010) created specter of catastrophic marine spill
• Debate further intensified by:• BP Macondo blowout • Enbridge’s spill of heavy
oil in the Kalamazoo River • Pipeline spills in Fort
McMurray and NWT
Environmental Effects and Mitigation
4
Key Concerns: Pipelines
• Fish Habitat• Rare plants and
communities • Wetlands• Caribou habitat• Grizzly bear habitat• SARA species• Traditional land use• Oil spills
Pipeline Mitigation and Compensation• Routing• SWAT• Trenchless Water Crossings• Construction in Least Risk
Period• Fish Habitat Compensation• Wetland Functional
Assessment and Compensation
• Caribou Habitat Restoration and Compensation
• Grizzly Bear Habitat and Linear Feature Removal
• Specialized measures :• Trumpeter Swans• Coastal Tailed Frog
Pipeline Oil Spill Planning and Readiness• Tiered pipeline
response plan• Tactical watercourse
plans• Regional response
capability• Local response
personnel• Training and exercises• Local equipment caches
• Environmental benchmarking
Key Concerns: Marine
• Air Emissions from Vessels
• Vessel Wake• Fish Habitat (at terminal)• Marine Mammals
• Vessel strike risk• Underwater Noise
• Marine Fisheries• Traditional Marine
Use• Oil spills
Marine Mitigation and Compensation
• North American Emissions Control Zones (low sulfur fuels)
• Vessel speed reductions• 8-10 knots summer• 10-12 knots winter• Reduces strike risk, underwater
noise and wake
• Whale spotting vessel• Passive acoustic monitoring• Commitment to long-term
programs:• Marine mammals• Marine Birds
• Marine Fish Habitat Compensation
• Fisheries Liaison Committee
Marine Oil Spill Planning and Readiness
• Tiered marine spill response plans• Geographic response plans• Environmental sensitivity atlases• Regional response capability
• Substantially exceed Transport Canada requirements• Local response personnel• Training and exercises• Equipment caches
• Environmental benchmarking• Harvest Studies• Marine Environmental Effects Monitoring• Fisheries Surveys
Closing Thoughts5
Considerations for Managers• Complex and long regulatory review process• Public understanding of operations, issues and
solutions• Power of the media• Social license• Unprecedented scope of mitigation and
compensation• Spill response
• Risk communication
Questions?