There are multiple energy projects looking to build pipelines so petroleum and natural gas resources can be reach B.C.'s west coast for shipment.

• Some pipelines in B.C. are regulated by the provincial government, while others such as those that cross a border like Alberta, are federally regulated.
• The B.C. Oil and Gas Commission regulates more than 43,000 kilometres of pipelines in the province.
• Under B.C. regulations, operators are required to report all incidents that have the potential to affect the integrity of a pipeline. If an incident occurs, it is investigated to not only ensure a spill or release is cleaned up, but that the cause is fully repaired before operations resume.
• Incident reporting has advanced through education and awareness initiatives, as well as an Integrity Management Program which was introduced in 2010 when B.C. updated oil and gas regulations. The program requires operators to have a management plan in place to ensure pipeline integrity is maintained during its entire lifecycle. This process identifies hazards proactively and applies mitigation measures before a pipeline can be put in operation.
• New pipeline infrastructure will need to be built in B.C. to support a liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. These pipelines will transport B.C.'s natural gas to the coast for export. All pipelines are subject to an environmental assessment and require approval before they can be built.
• Once natural gas is transported to the coast, it will be cooled to -162 degrees Celsius, converting it to liquid form. As a liquid, it can be safely transported by ship. LNG is non-toxic, odourless, non-corrosive and less dense than water. If it spills, LNG will warm, rise and dissipate.

The Five Conditions:

1. Successful completion of the environmental review process.
2. World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for B.C.'s coastline and ocean.
3. World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and recovery systems.
4. Legal requirements are addressed for treaty rights and First Nations are provided with the opportunities, information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project.
5. British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level, degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the environment and taxpayers.

Marine:

• The federal government has constitutional authority for navigation and shipping. The province has authority for the management of provincial lands and natural resources. The provincial and federal governments have shared authority over the environment.
• While federal agencies - principally Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard - are the recognized leaders for spills in the marine environment, the Ministry of Environment has a critical role. In the event of a marine spill, the Ministry's Environmental Emergency Program is the lead provincial agency, responsible for ensuring the protection of provincial interests, such as health, environment, and social and economic values.
• A new Oceans Protection Plan – a $1.5-billion federal government initiative - insures British Columbia against any cost associated with a potential spill by providing a guarantee of unlimited funds available for clean-up and compensation, allowing dollars to get quickly into the hands of first responders and those affected by oil spills. This backstops B.C.’s polluter-pay principle, which ensures those who are responsible for spills are also responsible for cleaning them up.

Land:

• In May, 2016, amendments to the Environmental Management Act were passed which provide the legal foundation to establish a new, world-leading spill preparedness and response regime to address environmental emergencies in British Columbia.
• The new legislated requirements for a provincial spills regime were the result of over three years of engagement with industry, First Nations, local government and other key stakeholders.
• The legislation includes the following:
  • Establishes new requirements for spill preparedness, response and recovery.
  • Creates new offences and penalties.
  • Enables the certification of a Preparedness and Response Organization.
  • Increases transparency, participation and accountability.
• The provincial regime is intended to address all types of spills that cause pollution or threaten public safety regardless of their source.