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.