ARCHIVED – National Energy Board – 2012-13 Departmental Performance Report – Message from the Chair and CEO
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Message from the Chair and CEO
I am pleased to present the National Energy Board’s (NEB or Board) Departmental Performance Report (DPR) for 2012-13. The NEB’s mandate is to regulate pipelines, international power lines and designated interprovincial power lines under federal jurisdiction, and energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. It is the Board’s responsibility to hold those it regulates accountable for results that are in the public interest.
The Board believes that with proper management, pipeline incidents are preventable. It is on that critical foundation that we have developed a proactive approach that targets the prevention of incidents before they occur. During 2012-13, the NEB completed several initiatives within the Action Plan on Safety and Environmental Protection. We also released plans for regulatory improvements and guidance on compliance and enforcement for damage prevention. In addition, we developed Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) Regulations, which came into force in July 2013.
The NEB requires pipeline companies to anticipate, prevent, manage and mitigate potentially dangerous conditions associated with their pipelines. The Board’s expectation is that regulated companies operate in a way that is systematic, comprehensive and proactive in managing risks, and that this approach is appropriately integrated into a company’s overall management system throughout a project’s lifecycle. In support of this, the Board amended the Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) to include a requirement that regulated companies designate an officer who is personally accountable for the management system and the achievement of outcomes related to safety and environmental protection.
The NEB continued to ensure that continually improving regulatory requirements reflect the unique northern environment and improve safety and environmental outcomes in the North. We have conducted engagement sessions and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Nunavut Boards and Inuvialuit Boards that will promote regulatory collaboration in the North.
Since the passing of Bill C-38 in June of 2012, the Board has been actively implementing the legislated changes prescribed in the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act, which included some of the most significant changes to the National Energy Board Act (NEB Act) since its implementation in 1959. During the year the NEB made great progress in moving forward on the necessary changes in all areas.
The NEB maintains its clear focus on fulfilling its mandate on behalf of Canadians. We are made up of knowledgeable and skilled Board Members, supported by a committed and expert staff: together, we will continue to review all areas of business to determine where improvements can be made.
The original version was signed by
Gaétan Caron
Chair and CEO
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