Archived - NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. - Horn River Facilities

Fort Nelson (BC)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Final Decision

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 09-01-48228
National Energy Board: OF‑Fac‑Gas‑N081‑2009‑02 01

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

National Energy Board
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On June 24, 2009, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because the National Energy Board considered taking action in relation to section 52 of the National Energy Board Act and Transport Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 108(4) of the National Energy Board Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

The Horn River Facilities (the Project) is an extension of the NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) Alberta system into the Horn River area of northeast British Columbia (BC). The Project would involve the construction and operation of approximately 72 km of new 914 mm (NPS 36) outside diameter (OD) sweet natural gas pipeline from the proposed Cabin Meter Station to the proposed Sierra Meter Station on the existing Ekwan Pipeline in BC (to be acquired from EnCana Ekwan Pipeline Inc.), located approximately 70 km east of Fort Nelson, BC. The Project would also involve the construction and operation of approximately 2.2 km of 610 mm (NPS 24) OD sweet natural gas pipeline extending northeast from a point on the Cabin Section to the proposed Komie East Meter Station. Approximately 47 km of the total new pipeline length of 74 km would consist of non-contiguous right-of-way. Additional facilities would include four meter stations, valve sites and modifications to the piping configuration at the existing Ekwan Meter Station in Alberta. Some temporary infrastructure would be required for construction and some new access roads and potential new electrical facilities and power lines would be needed for pipeline operations. The Project would require the crossing of several named and unnamed watercourses and drainages. NGTL is proposing to begin construction in the second quarter of 2011 and the proposed in-service date is in the second quarter of 2012.

Environmental Assessment Report

National Energy Board Reasons for Decision / Environmental Screening Report

Final Decision

A decision was taken on February 9, 2011 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures and comments from the public, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.