Energy East pipeline review to include 'enhanced' public input, NEB says

The National Energy Board'shearings into the proposed Energy East pipeline will be"innovative," including many opportunities for the public to participate, officials saidat anews conference in Calgary as they kicked of the formal process Thursdaymorning.

In addition to the regular hearings conducted by three members of the federal board, the review of TransCanada's proposed 4,500-kilometre pipeline will see other board members visit communities along the route to hear directly from members of the public, the NEB announced.The first public session will be in Saint John on August 8.

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"This review will not belike any other inCanadian history," said NEB directorJean-DenisCharlebois.

The public comments and input gathered in the public sessionswill be included in a report to be submitted as evidence in the formal hearing.

"The NEB is deeply committed to engaging with Canadians," Charlebois said.

The beginning of the review process represents an importantmilestone after three years of scientific analysisand engagement with thousands of Canadians along theroute, said TransCanada'sEnergy Eastpresident John Soini in a release.

"We look forward to participating this fall in the panel sessions to be held by the NEB along the proposed pipeline route, while continuing to actively listen and respond to input," he said.

The Energy East reviewwill alsoinclude a separateassessment of its possibleupstream greenhouse gas emissions in addition to the direct environmental impact of the pipeline, Charlebois said.

21-month review

A list of participants for the formal hearing process will be released soon, along with a schedule,Charleboissaid.

The NEB has been given 21 months to carry out its review. Its final report isdue no later thanMarch16, 2018.

The Liberals have said a decision on the pipeline application isn't expected for at least another two years.

If approved, Energy Eastwould carry 1.1million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall will be in Montreal on Thursday to meetQuebecPremier Philippe Couillard as part of his cross-country tour to advocate for building the $15.7-billion pipeline.

The Assembly of First Nations ofQuebecand Labrador formally declared its opposition to Energy East on Wednesday, adopting a resolution at a conference inQuebecCity requesting that Ghislain Picardthe AFN chief for the regionlead opposition to pipeline, both inside and outsideQuebec.

"I encourage Canadians to take part in the NEB's review as this will help inform our decision on Energy East."Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr said in a release.

The hearing panel will also review TransCanada's Eastern Mainline Project at the same time.

"Given the connections between the two projects, the board determined that the two applications were most effectively assessed within a single hearing," the NEB said in a release.