The National Energy Board panel reviewing the Energy East (EE) pipeline project ruled on Friday that all decisions made by the previous panel members, who recused themselves in September last year are void and will be removed from the official hearing record.
Former EE Panel members Roland George, Lyne Mercier and Jacques Gauthier stepped down from their positions amidst conflict of interest allegations, along with then-chairman Peter Watson, who was reassigned.
According to the NEB media release issued this morning, previous decisions that have been voided include:
- Determination that the Energy East and Eastern Mainline applications are complete;
- Decision to review the Energy East and Eastern Mainline applications via a single hearing;
- List of Participants and any subsequent individual rulings on participation;
- Lists of Issues and factors to be included in the environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012; and,
- Hearing Order.
To read more see the media release here.
The Conservation Council’s Fundy Baykeeper Matt Abbott is reviewing the panel’s decision so check into our blog site later today!
High-level Cabinet committee set up on climate change
The NB government announced today it has established a cabinet committee to oversee action on the provincial climate plan.
Direct involvement across departments driven by leadership by the Premier and Cabinet ministers was a recommendation made by the Conservation Council in its July 2016 report: A Bold, Made-in-New Brunswick Plan to Address Climate Change, which was supported by the three-party Select Committee in its Oct 24, 2016 report.
The members of the cabinet committee on climate change are:
- Premier Brian Gallant, chair
- Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle, vice-chairperson
- Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault
- Health Minister Victor Boudreau
- Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet
- Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Lisa Harris
- Treasury Board President Roger Melanson
- Finance Minister Cathy Rogers
To read more see the media release here.