There are several federally regulated energy infrastructures located throughout the British Columbia. If Indigenous Ministerial Arrangement Regulations (IMARs) are made, it could enable the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to enter into Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements with Indigenous governing bodies (IGB). Through the arrangements, the IGBs could have the authority to exercise responsibilities over the regulatory oversight of energy infrastructure under the Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CERA).
Federally regulated energy infrastructure in British Columbia
Text version
This map of British Columbia focuses on the locations of major pipelines, powerline terminals and current applications and projects all regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). It also shows where First Nation Reserves are located in relation to the energy infrastructure, with several being close to major pipelines, notably the Trans Mountain and Westcoast pipelines. Not pictured here: multiple modifications to the Westcoast pipeline, under the Westcoast Sunrise Expansion Program. There is a cluster of gas pipelines along the northeastern border, connecting with pipelines in Alberta. Current projects can be found in same area along the border, with two outliers near Prince George and Vancouver. Two major pipelines span across the province: the Trans Mountain pipeline travels from Edmonton, AB to Vancouver, BC and the Westcoast pipeline starts in northern BC and travels south towards Vancouver. Powerline terminals are more prevalent along the eastern and western borders of the United States. More details about the energy infrastructure can be found in the following tables.
Pipelines
~ 7,100 km
~ 7,100 km
Total length
7
7
Number of current applications
Powerlines
14
14
Number of lines
1,157 km
1,157 km
Total length
| Name | Substance | Phase | CER-Regulated Length | Average Throughput (2024)Footnote 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans Mountain Expanded System | Crude oil and refined petroleum products | Operating | 1,492 km | 499 Mb/d |
| Alliance | Liquids-rich natural gas | Operating | 2,338 km | 1.5 Bcf/d |
| Foothills | Natural gas | Operating | 1,241 km | 2.5 Bcf/d |
| NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) | Natural gas | Operating | 25,409 km | 11.6 Bcf/dFootnote 3 |
| Westcoast/BC Pipeline | Natural gas | Operating | 3,152 km | 1.5 Bcf/dFootnote 4 |
There are several smaller federally regulated pipelines in the province, at various phases of the lifecycle. Visit the CER’s Interactive Pipeline Map to find pipelines that are closest to your traditional territory.
| Name | Application Type | Infrastructure Details | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor to Gordondale Pipeline | Pipelines over 40 km (s.183 CER Act) | New pipeline project (88 km) and upgrades to the Taylor tank farm and Pouce Coupé block valve. | CER is assessing the application. Decision expected by December 1, 2025. |
| Sunrise Expansion Program | Pipelines over 40 km (s.183 CER Act) | Expanding the Westcoast pipeline (adding 137 km of new pipeline) and installing 34 km of new powerlines. | CER is assessing the application. |
| NGTL – Mackie Creek North Receipt Meter Station Phase II Expansion | Pipeline under 40 km (s. 240 CER Act) | Construction and operation of a new 682 orifice meter skid, building, instrumentation, yard piping and H2S protection facilities. | CER is assessing the application. Decision expected by March 4, 2025. |
| Pouce Coupé Pipe Line Ltd. – Pouce Coupé Horizontal Directional Drill Pipe Replacement | Pipeline under 40 km (s. 240 CER Act) | Replacement of 900 m of existing pipe at the Pouce Coupé System at the Pouce Coupé River Crossing near Dawson Creek, BC. The existing pipe will be decommissioned. | CER is assessing the application. Decision expected by December 1, 2025. |
| Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC – Salmon River Replacement Project | Pipeline under 40 km (s. 240 CER Act) | Replacement of 360 m of the TMX Line 1 pipeline in Vancouver, BC. | Approved by the Commission (CER) on November 14, 2024. |
| Westcoast Energy Inc. Meter Station 27 Replacement | Pipeline under 40 km (s. 240 CER Act) | Replacement of the existing Meter Station 27 on Westcoast’s Transmission North system, installing new pilings, pipe and pressure control and overpressure protection system north of Summit Lake, BC. | CER is assessing the application. |
| Westcoast Aspen Point Program | Pipeline under 40 km (s. 240 CER Act) | Increasing the Westcoast’s Transmission North system through the installation of more pipeline segments, electric drive compression, powerlines, metering facilities, and upgrades and/or modifications to existing compressor stations. Includes 3 new pipeline segments (18 km total) in northwestern BC. | Approved by the Commission (CER) on December 19, 2024. |
Related links
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the following webpages:
- CER – Applications and projects
- CER – Interactive Pipeline Map
- CER – Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles – British Columbia
- CER – International Power Lines Dashboard
Contact us
For additional information on the proposed IMARs or to submit comments in writing, please send an email to Indigenous Ministerial Arrangements Regulations at: imar-rama@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.