Boards, agencies agree to streamline gas pipeline

Gary Park

A myriad of Canadian boards and agencies have agreed to make a coordinated response to any proposal for a gas pipeline through the Northwest Territories, removing some of the obstacles that could slow approval of the project.

Led by the National Energy Board and the Northwest Territories government, the 12 parties say the draft plan has been presented to their respective chairs and the Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Robert Nault.

The plan was released Jan. 7, the same day the Mackenzie Delta Producers Group announced it was proceeding to the regulatory phase of developing 5.8 trillion cubic feet of onshore Delta gas.

The parties include environmental, land and water boards along the 850-mile Mackenzie Valley pipeline route.

Last May, the federal government announced a single environmental review for any pipeline proposal.

Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale said the “one-project-one-assessment” model would keep repetition and needless delay to a minimum during the regulatory process.