The Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Projects and Facilities in Ontario, 8th Edition 2023 (Environmental Guidelines) provide guidance to project proponents on how to prepare the Environmental Report that is required by the OEB as part of Hydrocarbon Project applications. Hydrocarbon Projects are defined as those that require approval of the OEB under section 90 or 91 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (OEB Act), and natural gas storage applications under 36.1(1), 38(1), and 40(1) of the OEB Act.
In February 2024, the OEB invited comment on proposed revisions to the Indigenous consultation provisions of the Environmental Guidelines from over 140 Indigenous communities and organizations, natural gas utilities and intervenors in natural gas leave to construct proceedings. The key proposed revision relates to the role of the Ministry of Energy and Electrification after it has delegated the procedural aspects of the Duty to Consult to proponents. There are other proposed revisions, including more detail on what must be provided in the Indigenous Consultation Report that a proponent must file with its application and other edits to improve clarity.
See all materials related to this consultation (EB-2024-0079)
Related documents
On September 24, 2024, the OEB issued new Filing Requirements applicable to applications for exemption from leave to construct applications contemplated in sections 90(2) and 95(2) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998.
- Cover Letter and Filing Requirements (pdf) (September 24, 2024)
On March 28, 2023, the OEB issued the 8th edition of the Environmental Guidelines. The updates to the Environmental Guidelines are primarily related to the Ontario Pipeline Coordinating Committee (OPCC) process and individual OPCC member requirements.
- Cover Letter - Environmental Guidelines 8th Ed. 2023 (pdf) (March 28, 2023)
Previous versions
On August 11, 2016, the OEB issued a new edition of its Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines and Facilities in Ontario. The Guidelines enhancements ensure that roles and obligations for the Crown’s duty to consult process for intra-provincial hydrocarbon pipelines are better defined. The revisions to the OEB Guidelines streamline and clarify roles and obligations for the Ministry of Energy, the OEB and pipeline proponents.
- Cover Letter (pdf) (August 11, 2016)
- Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipelines and Facilities in Ontario (pdf) (August 11, 2016)