Sensing that it was time to update its 1988 Pipeline CrossingRegulations, Canada’s National Energy Board moved another steptoward the development of new regulations called the DamagePrevention Regulations (DPR) that will govern pipeline safetythroughout the country.

Late last week, the NEB released the results of a survey itconducted last fall regarding what should be included in the newregulations. An estimated 350 surveys were sent to companies,groups and individuals with an interest in the industry. Of thesurveys, 80% of respondents indicated strong support for a numberof damage prevention activities including:

When the NEB decided to review the existing pipeline crossingregulations in mid-1999, it quickly became evident that many thingshad changed throughout the pipeline industry regarding damageprevention. It also became clear that existing regulations focusedmore on damage prevention than on crossing rules, hence the namechange to “Damage Prevention Regulations.”

From the surveys, the board plans to develop a draft DPR that itwill circulate to interested companies, groups and individuals TheNEB is seeking input because the rules will affect a wide group ofCanadians.

Once completed, the new DPRs — which will replace the existingpipeline crossing regulations — will govern activities on oradjacent to pipeline rights of way in the interest of the publicsafety and company employees as well as the protection of theenvironment and personal property, the NEB said.

For complete results from the survey, or more information on thenew DPRs, visit the NEB web site at www.neb.gc.ca.

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