Senate Committee Studies Safety of Canadian Energy Pipelines
OTTAWA – On Tuesday, the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources launches its study on the safety of hydrocarbon transportation in Canada. The study will examine and compare domestic and international regulatory regimes, standards, and best practices relating to the safe transport of hydrocarbons by transmission pipelines, marine tanker vessels and railcars.
“As the committee’s last report on Canada’s energy future underscored, the modernisation and expansion of Canadian energy systems is crucial to further strengthening Canada’s national economy,” said Senator Richard Neufeld, chair of the committee. “By enhancing our network of oil and gas pipelines, Canada connects its regions and diversifies its export markets. We are competing in a global energy economy and ensuring our energy transportation systems are world-class, in terms of efficiency and safety, is key.”
“Canadians are hearing a lot about pipeline development and transportation of energy from one part of the country to another, but they don’t often hear a lot about what safety regimes are already established, what kinds of preparations are in place to protect them and the environment” said Senator Grant Mitchell, deputy chair of the committee. “Our study can provide guidance to governments on what’s working and not working in terms of energy transportation safety, and also share with Canadians what’s really going on in this sector.”
The first section of the study will examine the life cycle of oil and gas long haul, larger diameter, high pressure pipelines, including pipeline design, construction, operation, spill response and abandonment. Additionally, the federal and provincial/territorial roles in pipeline oversight, including but not limited to legislation and regulations, standards, integrity management systems, monitoring, compliance and verification activities and incident response plans will be taken into account.
The second section will review the safety of the movement of hydrocarbon products via marine tanker vessels, including legislation and regulations, standards, inspection and enforcement measures, risk management systems and incident response plans. The third section will review the safety of rail transportation of hydrocarbon products, including legislation and regulations, standards, inspection and enforcement measures, risk managements systems and incident response plans.
The committee intends to complete its final report recommending specific measures to enhance the safety elements of the bulk transport of hydrocarbon products in Canada by June 30th, 2013.
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