The National Energy Board (NEB) has the approved Trans Mountain Pipeline's request to run 1.8 kilometres of pipeline through the B.C.'s seventh largest city, Chilliwack, for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
"After considering and weighing all the evidence before it, the NEB found that the proposed variance application is in the public interest and is consistent with the requirements of the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act)," stated a spokesperson for the NEB.
The altered route avoids BC Hydro infrastructure within the originally approved corridor and the pipeline would also be 500 metres shorter in length.
The decision now goes to the Federal Government (Governor in Council) and detailed route hearings are scheduled for June and October 2018.
Following the NEB's recommendation, the Federal Government approved the expansion project in November 2016 and approved a pipeline corridor, averaging about 150 metres in width.
The NEB's decision comes after a four-day oral hearing in January 2018 in Chilliwack, where more than 83,000 British Columbians reside. The NEB provided about $80,000 in Participant Funding for this realignment hearing.
At that time, the NEB panel heard from a range of intervenors including the S'ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance, the City of Chilliwack and the WaterWealth Project.
So far, about 66% of the entire detailed route has been approved by the NEB.
Prior to beginning construction on the pipeline, the company must meet all NEB pre-construction conditions.
In May 2016 the NEB recommended that the Federal government approve the Trans Mountain Expansion Project as long as 157 conditions were met.
For information on the route realignment applications, visit NEB.
For more information, visit the National Energy Board.
