The National Energy Boards' (NEB) decision to postpone oral hearings regarding Kinder Morgan's (KMI) Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has caused uncertainty within the oil and gas industry.
Kelly鶹ýӳs new appointment
Hearings were suspended after Steven Kelly 鶹ýӳ previously a consultant for KMI鶹ýӳs pipeline project 鶹ýӳ was announced to join the NEB panel on 13 October. As a result, Kelly鶹ýӳs evidence on the project must be taken off the record, in order to maintain public confidence. KMI must thusly list other evidence from Kelly in order to determine whether it needs to be replaced.
A spokesperson for project stated that the company would comment after reviewing the panel鶹ýӳs notification. However, this may be sooner rather than later.
KMI鶹ýӳs plan of action
As the NEB is rejecting evidence, KMI is in the process of having a replacement plan, requested by the NEB by 28 August.
鶹ýӳWe are confident we can meet requirements outlined by the NEB and that the regulatory process can proceed in a timely manner without material delay,鶹ýӳ stated KMI Canada鶹ýӳs President, Ian Anderson.
The deadline for the NEB final recommendation on the pipeline project is 26 January 2016. However, the federal cabinet has the final say on the pipeline鶹ýӳs verdict.
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