On January 22, 2018, the National Energy Board (NEB) released a
letter decision denying an application by
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline (M&NP) for approval of a
load retention service and reduced toll to Irving Oil Ltd.
(Irving). The NEB found that it was premature to determine whether
such a service is necessary and in the public interest because the
natural gas market in the Maritimes is in a period of uncertainty.
In coming to this conclusion, the NEB made clear that it had not
made any determination as to whether the load retention service and
related toll would be just and reasonable and not unjustly
discriminatory under the NEB's governing legislation.
The proposed load retention service (LRS) is intended to retain
load on the M&NP system in the face of a proposed new service
offering from Emera Brunswick Pipeline Company Ltd. (EBPC). The
applicant's stated concern is that it may lose Irving's
load without a competitive alternative offering. The LRS is
