Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. (TNPI) operates pipelines regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to safely transport the refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, aviation, and heating fuel) used by Canadian businesses and consumers every day. These pipelines connect refineries in Nanticoke, Ont., and Montreal to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), with lateral pipelines to Ottawa, as well as to Pearson International Airport and Pierre-Elliot Trudeau International Airport. We are committed to operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner to protect the public, the environment, and the pipelines.
In 2005, TNPI deactivated the Mirabel pipeline and Mirabel Meter Station (Meter Station) which delivered jet fuel to the Mirabel Airport in Quebec. TNPI is now in the process of removing all of the infrastructure (equipment) remaining at the Station.
This Station is regulated by the CER and the project requires an approval from the CER under section 45.1 of the Onshore Pipeline Regulations to decommission the station. TNPI obtained approval from the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to decommission the Mirabel Meter Station in October 2022. The Project involves the removal of all remaining infrastructure at the Station and completing site remediation activities.
Project Overview
In 2021, activities to support the first phase of decommissioning the Meter Station was conducted in alignment with the CER’s Decommissioning Exemption Order XO/XG-100-2008. This phase included removal of the above-ground equipment; however, this did not include any ground disturbance, thereby leaving below-ground equipment and infrastructure (i.e., concrete bases) in place.
The second phase of decommissioning the Meter Station required a CER approval to proceed with the removal of the remaining infrastructure and to complete site remediation activities, which was obtained in October 2022. The below-ground equipment removed includes an oil water separator, sump tank, underground piping and supports, and concrete bases. Remediation of the site will be completed in two stages; Stage 1 includes excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil; Stage 2 will address contaminated groundwater.
The remaining below-ground infrastructure has now been removed. Activities for soil remediation and installation of groundwater monitoring wells are expecting to commence on or about May 29 2023, pending receipt of approvals. These activities are expected to last an approximate duration of two to three months, and to be completed by November 2023.
A map of the Meter Station can be found here:
Timing of CER Filing
The application was filed with the CER on June 8, 2022.
The application is currently being assessed by the CER or the “Commission” and is publicly available on the CER’s website at: https://apps.cer-rec.gc.ca/REGDOCS/Item/Filing/C19465.
Approval was obtained in October 2022. The approval Order is publicly available on the CER’s website at: https://apps.cer-rec.gc.ca/REGDOCS/File/Download/4282314.
The Environment
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) has been carried out on the lands leased by TNPI and surrounding area. The assessment included testing of soil, shallow groundwater and bedrock groundwater quality. Soil, shallow groundwater and bedrock groundwater with concentrations exceeding the applicable remediation criteria were encountered at the Meter Station. The information from the Phase II ESA will be used to support the remediation and reclamation efforts to meet agricultural requirements.
As the Meter Station is located on federal lands owned by Transport Canada, these activities are subject to the Impact Assessment Act. This project will be reviewed with Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), who are the managers of this federal land. These project activities will be posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry at:
Site Reclamation
TNPI is committed to the health and safety of the public, our employees, and the environment, and has a well-developed process for reclamation. As part of a project life cycle, decommissioning can be used as an intermittent step to eventual abandonment. To support future abandonment, remediation of the site in conjunction with former operators is planned. A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) in alignment with the CER’s Remediation Process Guide, was prepared and submitted to the CER in December 2021. The RAP will be used to conduct the remediation activities listed above and required to support reclamation efforts.
Corporate Engagement Policy
TNPI is committed to working with landowners, regulators, and others in the communities where we operate as we all play a role in pipeline safety. As part of this commitment, TNPI keeps the community informed of relevant health and safety, security, and environmental issues regarding the pipeline during its lifecycle. A stakeholder engagement process, which includes consultation and engagement with landowners, Indigenous communities, government agencies, and other interested persons, is in place to allow public input into our Mirabel Meter Station Decommissioning Project during the planning process.
As part of remediation planning, engagement with potentially affected persons and communities is expected by the CER. Feedback collected will be used to support finalizing the development and implementation of the project plan. Public engagement is also an important component of the Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment. Input received will be used to confirm both the existing environmental conditions and to develop site-specific protection or mitigation measures for the Project.
Indigenous Peoples
A Project Information Package is being communicated to Indigenous communities based on previous relationships, potential effects on known or asserted traditional territory, and direction received from the CER.
Public Safety
TNPI is committed to operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner to protect the public, the environment, and the pipelines. TNPI is also committed to keeping the community and all stakeholders informed of relevant safety issues regarding their pipelines, and any proposed changes to these pipelines.
Emergency Response
TNPI has a detailed Emergency Response Plan in place to respond safely and efficiently in the unlikely event of an incident. The Emergency Response Plan is available to the public on the Emergency Management page of the TNPI website. In the event of an emergency, TNPI Emergency Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-361-0608.
Conditions and Commitments
Following the filing of the Project with the CER, information including status of conditions and commitments will be updated and posted on the CER website as required. You can review the Project details on the CER website: https://apps.cer-rec.gc.ca/REGDOCS/Item/View/160186
Issue Resolution
TNPI is committed to working with landowners and affected persons to resolve issues and concerns in a proactive manner. If TNPI is unable to resolve a disagreement between parties, TNPI will advise the CER and initiate the Alternate Dispute Resolution Process. TNPI understands and respects that this process can be initiated by anyone involved in a dispute with TNPI over a CER regulated pipeline. More information is available at: https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/consultation-engagement/land-matters-guide/index.html
How to Participate
Keeping those potentially affected by the project informed is an important aspect of all of our major projects. Information regarding this project will continue to be posted on this webpage and emailed to affected people and groups.
If you have concerns about the proposed Project, the Commission strongly encourages you to contact TNPI or designate first to have those concerns considered. If you still have project-related views or concerns that you have not been able to resolve with TNPI, you may send a letter of comment to the Commission. The Commission will consider your letter of comment during its assessment of the Project.
For more information, or if you have questions or concerns about this Project, please contact:
Lisa Dornan
External Affairs, Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc.
Tel.: 403-476-1593
If you provide any comments to the Commission, please include the following:
- Reference to File C19465
- Your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and name of the person or community that you represent;
- Any concerns you may have about the Project and any comments with respect to potential impacts of the Project, including potential measures to address any impacts; and
- Any documentation and/or other submissions you feel explains or supports your letter.
You can submit your letter online by downloading the statement of concern form and submitting it using e-file on CER’s website, or mail, fax or courier it to the CER:
Secretary of the Commission
Canada Energy Regulator
Suite 210, 517 Tenth Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0A8
Toll free fax 1-877-288-8803
The CER encourages parties to submit any concerns about the Project as soon as possible and preferably within 14 days after the application material has been filed.
The Commission is the final decision-maker on this Project under the CER Act. The Commission will decide whether to approve or deny the Project by weighing both the positive and negative impacts of the Project. Should the Project be approved, conditions may be imposed to mitigate or eliminate any negative impacts.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Project, please do not hesitate to contact Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc.