Proposed pipeline projects in British Columbia have triggered many questions

about emergency response in the event of a pipeline incident. In an effort to provide additional, factual information to this conversation, the Canadian

Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) has prepared this backgrounder.

OVERVIEW

Pipelines regulated by the National Energy Board (NEB) are required to produce and be ready to

implement emergency response plans (ERPs) throughout the full life cycle (design, construction,

operation and retirement) of a pipeline. ERPs are routinely updated and submitted to the regulator for

reviews and audits. These plans are focused on being prepared to quickly and effectively respond to an

emergency, with the goals of protecting the public and the environment, reducing any risks and hazards,

and cleaning up and restoring the site.

These comprehensive plans outline all the necessary steps and decisions required to manage a pipeline

emergency situation and control the incident. An ERP provides pipeline operators and emergency

responders with the roadmap to help them make effective and informed decisions about how to handle

the situation.

Some of the critical information in an Emergency Response Plan includes:

Evacuation plans

Emergency worker response procedures

Roles, responsibilities and chain of command

Locations of access points along the pipeline

Communication processes

Coordination procedures with emergency services, governments and local authorities

Incident Command System

In the case of large incidents, pipeline operators use the Incident Command System (ICS), which is a

management system used for the command, control and coordination of emergency response. By using

ICS, pipeline companies can effectively respond to an emergency while ensuring that resources are being

used efficiently and the public and emergency responders are safe.

MUTUAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT

While ICS is a standardized system that is used around the world, CEPA members have also committed to

an industry first – the Mutual Emergency Assistance Agreement. This agreement formalizes and legalizes

an existing practice – allowing any one of CEPA’s member companies to ask for assistance from another

member company in the event of a major incident. By sharing resources like equipment, personnel or

specialized response advice, it increases the speed in which CEPA members can effectively manage an

incident. Recently, CEPA members also participated in the inaugural Joint Emergency Management

Exercise, which tested their ability to respond collectively in an emergency situation.

Read more about the Mutual Emergency Assistance Agreement and how it improves emergency response

Read more about the Joint Emergency Response Exercise and the safety commitment it demonstrates

Watch videos of emergency response equipment in action (Video)

Read how else the industry is collaborating towards greater safety

CEPA INTEGRITY FIRST

All CEPA members also actively participate in CEPA Integrity First - an industry-wide program developed

by CEPA members to work collectively to deliver energy products reliably, safely and in a socially and

environmentally responsible manner. The program is focused on advancing the performance of the

Canadian energy pipeline industry with the goal of reaching zero incidents. The program provides CEPA

members with guidance on how to improve management systems and key practices for priority issues,

with one of the first initiatives being the completion of the emergency response guidance documents.

Read more about how pipeline companies are working together to improve industry performance through

CEPA Integrity First

Read about the Integrity First control room management guidance document

PIPELINE SAFETY ACT

Recently the federal government announced their intention to introduce a Pipeline Safety Act. This

legislation will strengthen incident prevention, preparedness and response, and liability and

compensation. The measures proposed will enhance pipeline safety and performance and align well with

the transmission pipeline industry’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. They demonstrate

common ground between the federal government and the pipeline industry in our commitment to world

class pipeline safety.

In particular, the following amendments are strongly supported by the industry:

The need to secure commitment to the polluter-pay principles.

Effective government oversight and coordination of industry spill response, which includes the views of

Aboriginal communities, impacted communities and the appropriate financial mechanism.

Ensure a world-class spill response system from ‘prevention through recovery’.

Increased NEB authority to further instill public confidence that pipeline emergencies will be managed

to minimize impacts on local and regional resources.

The pipeline industry is committed to working collaboratively with provincial and federal governments to

ensure a robust land based spill preparedness and response regime is established without creating

unnecessary duplication.

Read more about who pays for a pipeline spill

Read more on how pipeline companies are keep accountable

LAND-BASED SPILL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

The government of British Columbia has outlined a number of conditions for pipeline approval in the

province, including the need for world-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and

recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines. The pipeline industry,

through CEPA, has been working with British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) on this initiative

by participating on three technical working groups and the advisory committee for the Land Based Spill

Response. The MOE intentions papers being prepared on this topic are an important part of the public

consultation process.

Industry has and continues to demonstrate a strong track record of addressing the risks to the

environment and to public safety through policies, skills training and specialized capabilities that promote

prevention, a culture of safety, emergency response capacity and a commitment to restoration following a

spill. The pipeline industry is committed to working with government, through the appropriate regulators

and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), to establish world-leading standards for spill

preparedness and response in BC.

Read more about how pipeline standards are developed in Canada

COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

How the industry prepares for emergencies:

How can I trust that pipeline companies are fully prepared for an emergency?

Are pipeline regulations in Canada adequate to protect people and the environment, and what penalties

can be imposed on pipeline companies if a pipeline spills or leaks? (Video)

What are pipeline companies required to do if a spill/leak happens?

How do I know that Canada’s regulatory system is up to the challenge of ensuring safety?

Who is responsible for the costs for cleaning up a pipeline spill?

What are pipeline companies doing to keep their operations safe?

Are pipeline companies required to monitor their pipelines?

What is the federal government doing to ensure pipeline safety?

How the industry is improving:

What is the pipeline industry doing to address the concerns of Canadians?

An aboriginal leader opinion on trusting the industry

Strengths and weaknesses of Canada’s pipeline system

Why pipeline critics are important and being consulted

A pipeline critic’s perspective and its importance to improvement

Other common questions:

Who regulates pipelines safety in Canada?

What is the process for approving and routing a pipeline? (Video)

How do control rooms work?

RELATED LINKS:

National Energy Board, Emergency Management, https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/sftnvrnmnt/mrgnc/index-

eng.html

National Energy Board, Trans Mountain Expansion proposal, https://www.neb-

one.gc.ca/pplctnflng/mjrpp/trnsmntnxpnsn/index-eng.html

BC Oil and Gas Commission, Emergency Management Regulation,

http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/204_2013

Incident Command System Canada, http://www.icscanada.ca/

Natural Resources Canada, Pipeline Facts, http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/infrastructure/13751

WHO IS CEPA?

The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association represents Canada’s transmission pipeline companies who

operate approximately 115,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada. In 2013, these energy highways moved

approximately 1.2 billion barrels of liquid petroleum products and 5.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Our

members transport 97 per cent of Canada’s daily natural gas and onshore crude oil from producing

regions to markets throughout North America.

For additional information on the Canadian pipeline industry, please visit our website:

www.aboutpipelines.com