Updates to the Pipeline Act

The province is proposing changes to the Pipeline Act that will give the Utility and Review Board broader power and more options to ensure compliance.

"Our current act has been in place since 1989," said Energy Minister Barry Barnet. "It is time to update the act to allow Nova Scotia to develop regulations that reflect practices in other provinces."

The board has authority to regulate certain pipelines under the Pipeline Act. These changes will expand the board's authority around:

• permit and licence applications
• monitoring and enforcing orders around pipelines and public safety.

If the amendments are passed, government will introduce draft regulations for public comment, likely in the fall.

The Pipeline Act covers Heritage Gas pipelines and the onshore Sable natural gas liquids line that runs from Goldboro to the Strait area. It does not cover private gas lines in homes and businesses nor the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline. Private gas lines in homes are covered by the Fuel Safety Act. The Maritimes and Northeast pipeline is covered by the National Energy Board.