Energy East Hearing Panel steps down after allegations of bias
Posted Sep 9, 2016 9:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Another setback for Energy East as the panel that was reviewing the proposal made by TransCanada recused itself after allegations of bias.
Earlier this summer media reports revealed two of the panel members had met with TransCanada consultant and former Québec Premier Jean Charest.
More than 50 environmental and governance advocates this week urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to scrap the whole process and start over.
The National Energy Board says the panel members stepped down to preserve the integrity of the N.E.B. and the Energy East and Eastern Mainline hearings.
“They acted in good faith, and have pledged not to discuss these two applications with either other Board members or Board Staff,” they say in a news release.
The hearing has been adjourned until a new panel can be appointed and then the applications will proceed.
It’s still unclear how long it’ll take to name the new panel and if they’ll have to start from the beginning.
They also revealed that board chairman Peter Watson and vice-chair Lyne Mercier will not be involved in naming the new panel.
The announcement comes after hearings had to be postponed in Montreal over safety concerns.
The pipeline would begin in Hardisty Alberta, if approved, and end at the refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, Montreal and Quebec City are both along the proposed route.
The cost would be in the billions and it’s expected to create roughly 2,300 direct and indirect jobs.
Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said in a statement Friday afternoon that they are aware of the decision and the NEB will now determine the next steps.
“While it is unfortunate that the circumstances have delayed the regulatory review for this project, independence and neutrality are fundamental principles for all of Canada’s regulatory institutions, including those reviewing major projects such as the National Energy Board,” he writes.
Alberta Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd has also provided 660 NEWS a statement.
“Our hope is that the review process can proceed as quickly as possible so that constructive dialogue can resume and people who have legitimate questions can have them answered. We will continue to reinforce the importance of getting our oil to overseas markets for the benefit of the entire country.”
