Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC)

The OPCC coordinates the review of natural gas projects in Ontario that require OEB approval.

Our Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC) acts as an important bridge with industry, to coordinate various activities involving natural gas pipelines in the province.

What does the Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee do?

The OPCC coordinates the review of natural gas projects in Ontario that require OEB approval.

Our Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC) acts as an important bridge with industry, to coordinate various activities involving natural gas pipelines in the province.

What does the Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee do?

The Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee coordinates the review of natural gas projects in Ontario that require Ontario Energy Board approval – such as pipeline construction and projects related to the storage of natural gas in geological formations. It reviews environmental assessments, considers reports prepared by the energy companies and raises any concerns with applicants before they submit their applications to the Ontario Energy Board. The Committee’s mandate and the steps in its review process are set in the OEB Environmental Guidelines for Hydrocarbon Pipelines and Facilities in Ontario.

Project Updates

OPCC Adopts Terms of Reference

In June 2023, the OPCC adopted a Terms of Reference that describes the purpose, scope and authority of the committee. Click here to view a copy of the Terms of Reference.
OEB Releases Update of its Environmental Guidelines for Hydrocarbon Projects
Today the OEB released the 8th edition of its Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Projects and Facilities in Ontario (Environmental Guidelines). The Environmental Guidelines provide direction to parties seeking hydrocarbon pipeline or natural gas storage related approvals from the OEB under the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (Hydrocarbon Projects). They also describe the role of the Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC) – comprised of provincial ministries and agencies with responsibilities in respect of Hydrocarbon Projects – in the OEB’s process.
- Cover Letter: Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Projects and Facilities in Ontario
- Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Projects and Facilities in Ontario, 8th edition
The focus of the updates to this edition of the Environmental Guidelines is the process by which members of the OPCC provide feedback on individual Hydrocarbon Projects, as well as the requirements that individual OPCC members have with respect to various permits or approvals they issue that may be related to Hydrocarbon Projects. The development of these updates benefitted from input from the OPCC members, Conservation Ontario, and the rate regulated natural gas utilities.
This edition does not include any material changes to the portions of the document relating to Indigenous consultation and the Constitutional duty to consult. The OEB has initiated a separate review of the Indigenous consultation and duty to consult sections of the Environmental Guidelines to assess whether and how improvements and updates to the process should be implemented.
The project to update the OEB’s Environmental Guidelines is now complete.
OEB Posts Summary of Consultation on Update to its Environmental Guidelines for Hydrocarbon Projects

In October 2022, Ontario Energy Board staff initiated a project to update the OEB’s Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines and Facilities in Ontario, 7th Edition 2016 (Environmental Guidelines). Click here to view the project launch letter.
The updates to the Environmental Guidelines were focused on a review of the process by which Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC) members provide feedback on individual Hydrocarbon Projects, and the requirements individual OPCC members have with respect to various permits or approvals they issue that may be related to Hydrocarbon Project applications. Within this scope, and to ensure clarity and accuracy, the OEB sought input from the OPCC members, Conservation Ontario, and the natural gas utilities. Click here to view a summary of the feedback that was received.
OEB Launches Project to Update Environmental Guidelines for Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines and Facilities in Ontario

Today, October 6, 2022, Ontario Energy Board (OEB) staff has initiated a project (Project) to update the OEB’s Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines and Facilities in Ontario, 7th Edition 2016 (Environmental Guidelines). Click here to view the letter.
The Environmental Guidelines provide direction to parties applying for hydrocarbon pipeline and natural gas storage related approvals from the OEB. Contents of the Environmental Guidelines include the planning requirements for locating new facilities, the mitigation required for construction of these projects, and the process for review and approval of the environmental reports which are produced.
The Environmental Guidelines were last updated in 2016. The current update is intended to (a) clarify Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC) member roles and requirements and (b) to generally address the passage of time.
OEB Announces Membership to Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee

The Committee is made up of government ministries and agencies that have a role in reviewing natural gas transmission and distribution facility projects. It is chaired by a staff member from the Ontario Energy Board. For the most current list of Committee members, click here, or find the list at the top right of the OPCC project page.