Coastal GasLink pipeline could face federal regulatory review
In addition to opposition from the hereditary chiefs of Wet'suwet'en Nation, the proposed Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline faces another battle that TransCanada says could put the project at risk. The National Energy Board (NEB) launched a multi-step process last fall to determine whether the $4.8-billion pipeline should fall under federal jurisdiction and perhaps undergo further regulatory review — potentially delaying the project for months... The NEB case was triggered by Smithers, B.C., resident Michael Sawyer, an environmental consultant with over two decades of experience in Alberta's energy sector, who believes the project should fall under federal jurisdiction. TransCanada said in filings from an earlier phase in the process that if the NEB even entertained the jurisdictional question it would have grave implications. "It would create regulatory uncertainty and inefficiency at a time when these issues are jeopardizing Canada's global competitiveness," said TransCanada. "It would put real, tangible benefits to people in B.C., including First Nations, at risk." The company said in an emailed statement that it was "disappointed" with the NEB's October 2018 decision to review jurisdictional arguments.