Our Work With Canada

OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL COORDINATOR ACTIVITIES

In July 2007, the Federal Coordinator announced the creation of the "Senior Intergovernmental Management Team (SIMT)." The team attempts to meet twice a year (if Canadian and U.S. politics allow) and is comprised of U.S., Canadian and Alaska government officials. The SIMT is comprised of the U.S. Federal Coordinator and senior government officials for the State of Alaska and the Canadian federal government. The SIMT meetings focus on the coordination needs of the governments and facilitate bilateral discussions with the Government of Canada and with participation by the State Government of Alaska regarding infrastructure upgrades, labor needs, and native consultations.

In May 2008, OFC staff traveled to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of Canada to observe a workshop hosted by the Alaska Highway Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition (AHAPC) with a focus on First Nation issues. The AHAPC is a voluntary initiative formed specifically to assess the implications of and communicate information to Yukon First Nations on the proposed gas pipeline along the Alaska Highway. The May workshop focused on the Canadian equivalent to the U.S. NEPA process. The AHAPC hold meetings every few months and the OFC has committed to attend future workshops to listen and learn.

In 2008, the OFC participated in a State Department hosted Energy Consultative Mechanism (ECM) meeting with the Canadian federal government. At the meeting, the Canadian government expressed their desire to see a gas pipeline project move forward and their intention to meet the schedule set by the U.S. regulatory agencies. The OFC plans to participate in the ECM meeting in the fall of 2009.

Pearce and the OFC staff travel to Canada a few times a year to participate in a number of conferences emphasizing that the U.S. Government is eager to see an Alaska natural gas project move forward and ready to process applications in an environmentally conscious but expeditious manner. The OFC also meets with various Canadian government officials and staff to discuss the project and coordination issues.

The OFC has a good working relationship with the provincial and territorial governments who are interested in the project: the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, Alberta and BC. Canada maintains the position that the Mackenzie Gasline Project (MGP) must go first. The U.S. position is the Alaska natural gas pipeline project and the MGP are two exciting Arctic pipeline projects that will provide benefits to both Americans and Canadians and there is room for both projects in the North American markets.

NORTHERN PIPELINE AGENCY

The Northern Pipeline Agency (NPA) was created with the proclamation of the Northern Pipeline Act in April 1978 to oversee planning and construction of the Canadian portion of the Alaska Highway Gas Pipelien Project by the Foothills Group of Companies (TransCanada). The Minister of Natural Resources is responsible for the management and direction of the Agency. Pending resumption of planning and construction of the pipeline, the only office in the NPA that is staffed is the Office of the Commissioner which maintains a small support staff.

The NPA mandate is twofold:

· it carries out Government of Canada responsibilities in relation to the pipeline and facilitates the efficient and expeditious planning and construction of the pipeline, taking into account local and regional interests, in particular those of native people; and

· it maximizes the social and economic benefits from the construction and operation of the pipeline while at the same time minimizing any adverse effect on the social and environmental conditions of the area's most directly affected by the pipeline.the Office of the Commissioner which maintains a small support staff.

The NPA acts as a single window between federal authorities and TransCanada, and between provincial and territorial governments, and the

Government of the United States. In keeping with the Act, many regulatory powers of other Government of Canada departments and agencies related to the pipeline project are delegated to the NPA. This is not the case for those powers reserved exclusively to the National Energy Board or shared between the Board and the NPA.

The NPA is reviewing how to expedite the process of a renewed TransCanada application. They are reviewing the historical Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) licenses with respect to "Updating the Environmental Assessment and Regulatory." Canada Regulatory Officials believe the Go-No-Go decision on the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project (ANGTP) was made during the 1970s-80’s. However, the NPA will require updated information/studies to supplement the Environmental Docket.

The NPA is reviewing its procedures for "Completing the Yukon CPCN—Terms and Conditions." The Yukon CPCN was never properly "promulgated" into law. Although for intents and purposes the Yukon CPCN was deemed complete. It was not promulgated into law because the ANGTP of the 1970’s died for economic reasons and at that time there was a view that such "promulgation" was not needed. This "promulgation" matter is technical in nature and highlights the fact that loose ends remain. Also, the Rights of Way for the Yukon will have to be extended soon as it expires in 2012. Both the BC and Alberta CPCN Environmental Assessment and Socioeconomic conditions were properly promulgated into law back in the 70’s-80. It is likely that all First Nations will have to be properly consulted during reviews.

The NPA leadership is as follows: Cassie Doyle, Commissioner; Christopher Cuddy, Assistant Commissioner and Comptroller; John Foran, Acting Director Oil & Gas Division Petroleum Resources Branch of Natural Resources Canada and the equivalent of a Chief Operating Officer, the details person, keeper of institutional knowledge and energy market analysis expert.

Attachments: 

Full Fact Sheet