By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, June 13 -- The National Energy Board is seeking public comment on Canada's proposed pipeline regulations that eventually will govern all activities that could damage Canadian pipelines, including vehicle crossings.
NEB said it will schedule town hall meetings at various locations across Canada during the next 6 months. The agenda for those meetings has yet to be announced. The NEB regulates more than 40,000 km of pipelines throughout Canada.
The proposed Damage Prevention Regulations will apply to pipeline companies, Canadian landowners whose property a pipeline crosses, and others involved in activities that could damage a pipeline. The proposals are intended to replace the existing Pipeline Crossing Regulations.
NEB has released a draft document covering its damage prevention regulations and guidance. Recommendations include implementing a requirement to have a pipeline located before excavations are undertaken with power equipment or explosives within 30 m of a pipeline.
The document also suggests mandatory membership in One Call centers for pipeline companies under NEB's jurisdiction. One Call centers are organizations of subsurface installation operators that coordinate location requests and provide advance notice of excavations.