NEB proposes to review upstream, downstream emissions from Energy East

CALGARY — Canada's national energy regulator has proposed that the new review of the Energy East Pipeline consider upstream and downstream emissions from the project.

The National Energy Board is seeking public input until the end of the month on the topics that should be considered during hearings into Energy East, with an update to that expected by the summer.

The NEB says the hearing panel has specifically asked for feedback on the issue of greenhouse gas emissions during production and consumption of the oil that would be shipped along the 4,500-kilometre pipeline.

The original Energy East review was derailed last September after members of the regulatory panel overseeing the hearings resigned amid questions about a potential conflict of interest.

In January, the NEB invalidated nearly two years of decisions made by the previous panel, a setback for TransCanada's $15.7-billion development, and a new panel was appointed.

The review panel will examine a proposed pipeline that would carry 1.1 million barrels of crude per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada and a marine terminal in New Brunswick.

The review also covers TransCanada's 279-kilometre Eastern Mainline natural gas pipeline application, which was submitted along with Energy East because some existing gas pipeline would be converted to oil under the Energy East plan.

The Canadian Press