Government Moves to Eliminate Redundant Board

PETROLEUM DIRECTORATE--Government Moves to Eliminate Redundant Board

Legislation that would eliminate the Energy and Mineral Resources Conservation Board was introduced today by Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate.

“The energy board was originally designed to be the regulator for the development of an oil and gas industry in Nova Scotia, onshore and offshore”, said Mr. Balser. “However, other bodies have taken on those responsibilities and the energy board is now redundant.”

As the result of an agreement between the federal and provincial government, regulation of the offshore is the responsibility of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board. Under the original legislation, responsibility for pipeline regulations was also a matter for the Energy and Mineral Resources Conservation Board. But, under legislation passed last year and regulations passed in 1999, provincial pipelines now fall under the jurisdiction of the Utility and Review Board. The legislation introduced today eliminates the redundant energy board and formally passes responsibilities elsewhere.

The amendments also ensure that the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate continues to have access to outside advice. Ad hoc committees may be established to give independent advice when required on a specific issue. The Premier’s Energy Council also acts as a broad-based policy advisory group.