News Release Archive
NATURAL RESOURCES--JOINT PUBLIC REVIEW OF SABLE GAS PROJECTS
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A multi-party agreement for joint public review of the proposed
Sable gas projects was announced today by the government of Nova
Scotia and Canada. The projects include the development and
production of natural gas near Sable Island, Nova Scotia and the
transmission of the gas to domestic and U.S. markets. A five
member panel will be appointed to conduct the joint review.
The agreement was signed by Natural Resources Minister Eleanor
Norrie, Environment Minister Wayne Adams, Anne McLellan, Minister
of Natural Resources Canada, Sergio Marchi, Minister of
Environment Canada, Jim Dickey, acting chief executive officer of
the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and Roland
Priddle, chairman of the National Energy Board.
This joint approach will allow both governments to streamline the
review process and avoid jurisdictional overlap and duplication.
While the assessment process will focus on the environmental
aspects of the projects, it will also provide a forum for the
National Energy Board to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities
for the projects and for the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore
Petroleum Board Commissioner to fulfill his or her responsibility
for the offshore project.
The agreement was finalized after the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency and the other parties requested, and received
public comments on a final draft. The parties agree that public
input is crucial and working together will provide both industry
and the public a better review process.
The governments of Nova Scotia and Canada also announced that a
joint secretariat office to provide technical and administrative
support to the review panel will open in Halifax immediately. An
announcement on the appointments to the review will be made in
the near future.
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Contact: Blain Henshaw, 902-424-5252
Edward Sampson, 902-426-7176
lm July 17, 1996 - 2:55 p.m.
