Environmental Protection

The NEB takes a lifecycle approach to the management of environmental issues throughout all phases of a regulated facility including the planning and application phase, the application assessment and public hearing phase, the construction and post-construction phase, the operations and maintenance phase, and the abandonment phase.

While the companies the NEB regulates have a responsibility for ensuring their pipelines and power lines are planned, built, operated and abandoned in a manner that protects the environment, and respects the rights of those affected, the NEB also has a large role to play.

The NEB has approximately 24 Environment, 5 Socio-economic, 5 Lands and 4 Engagement Specialists deployed to teams throughout the organization. These specialists deliver environmental and socio-economic assessments, environmental inspections, audits of environmental management systems, lands administration, and landowner complaint resolution. They may also contribute to the environmental aspects of the NEB's Energy Market Analyses.

Phases of a regulated facility

The NEB's purpose is to promote safety, security, environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets with respect to relevant aspects of the Canadian energy industry. While environmental, socio-economic and land issues are only one part of the NEB's mandate, they are very important.

Here is the lifecycle of a regulated facility, showing the activities the NEB performs or influences at each phase to manage environmental issues.

View the list of project phases and links below to find more information about the NEB's activities that influence or manage these issues:

1. Company's planning and pre-application phase
   • NEB's environmental information requirements (Filing Manual)
   • Pre-application meetings
     
     
2. Application assessment and/or public hearing phase
   • Environmental assessment
   • Conditions on approval
     
     
3. Construction and post-construction phase
   • Ensure condition compliance
   • Inspections
   • Post-construction monitoring reports
     
     
4. Operations and maintenance phase
   • Inspections
   • Audits
   • Incident investigation and reports
     
     
5. Abandonment phase
   • Environmental assessment
   • Conditions on approval
   • Inspections