ARTICLE · 13 DECEMBER 2016

Two "Yeses" And One "No": Federal Government Issues Decisions On Three Major Pipeline Projects

Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

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On November 29, 2016, the federal government announced its approval of two major pipeline projects: Kinder Morgan's long-awaited Trans Mountain Expansion project and Enbridge's Line 3 project.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources

Matthew D. Keen

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On November 29, 2016, the federal government announced its approval of two major pipeline projects: Kinder Morgan's long-awaited Trans Mountain Expansion project and Enbridge's Line 3 project. At the same time, the federal government announced its rejection of Enbridge's Northern Gateway project. The federal government's decisions on these projects were unsurprising given recent announcements about federal environmental policy on climate change, and that these decisions are generally consistent with the federal government's election platform concerning pipeline projects, reforming the environmental assessment regime, and enhancing marine shipping safety and spill response preparedness. The federal government's decisions also hint at a federal quid pro quo of requiring provinces to have strong climate change regimes in place before federal project approvals will be issued.

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