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Safe and secure pipelines and power lines built and operated in a manner that protects the environment and enables efficient markets.
The NEB operates and delivers its programs within a framework of five integrated goals:
Together, the goals provide the framework for the NEB to achieve its strategic outcome. The goals also identify expected results for the NEB program activities and have related measures and targets.
As part of the goal and program-related measures and targets, the NEB has established service standards which identify specific delivery targets or timelines for key services. Meeting service standard targets consistently and with quality results reflects the NEB’s commitment to efficient and effective regulatory processes.
The NEB’s Strategic Plan outlines the NEB’s vision and purpose, and provides the structure for the goals framework. More information on the Strategic Plan and NEB service standards is available on the NEB’s website (http://www.neb-one.gc.ca).
The NEB has two main program activities: Energy Regulation and Energy Information. In addition, an Internal Services program activity provides support services such as the management of human resources, finance, and information technology. The following sections provide detail on the program activities, including how expected results will be achieved and the financial and non-financial resources required by each.
This program provides the Canadian public, project proponents and other government agencies with regulation of international and designated inter-provincial power lines; construction, operation, and tolls and tariffs on international and inter-provincial pipelines; energy trade; and exploration and development in certain frontier and offshore areas. The companies that are regulated by the Board create wealth for Canadians through the transport of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, and through the export of hydrocarbons and electricity. As a regulatory agency, the Board’s role is to help create a framework which allows these economic activities to occur when they are in the public interest. The public interest is inclusive of all Canadians and refers to a balance of economic, environmental and social interests that change as society’s values and preferences evolve over time. The NEB’s regulatory outcomes focus on safe, secure and economically efficient infrastructure that is built and operated in a manner that protects the environment.
The Energy Regulation program has two sub-program activities:
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending (million $) | |||||
2009-2010 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
162.1 | 20.7 | 139.8 | 17.3 | 139.8 | 17.3 |
Energy Regulation Program: Expected Results: | |||||
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Performance Indicators | Targets | ||||
Companies have adequate and effectively implemented safety, integrity and environmental management systems and programs | 100% of companies regulated by the NEB have safety, integrity and environmental systems and programs in place | ||||
Percent of planned compliance activities completed | 100% of planned compliance activities are completed | ||||
Public perception of pipeline safety (assessed through a proposed survey to be conducted every three years) | Establish a baseline for the level of public perception of pipeline safety | ||||
Public satisfaction with environmental protection (assessed through a proposed survey to be conducted every three years) | Establish a baseline for the level of public satisfaction with environmental protection for activity related to energy infrastructure development | ||||
The Board’s regulatory processes are measurably efficient and effective | All NEB service standards for its regulatory services are met (service standards are available on the NEB’s internet site at: http://www.neb-one.gc.ca under “Who we are and our governance”) | ||||
Percent of planned financial regulatory audits completed | 100% of planned financial regulatory audits are completed | ||||
The rights and interests of those affected by NEB-regulated facilities and activities are respected
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Majority of stakeholders are satisfied with NEB processes, information and interaction |
The Energy Regulation program has four Expected Results. The NEB has identified key objectives and related activities to achieve each result in the planning period.
Energy Regulation Program Expected Result:
NEB-regulated facilities and activities are safe and secure, and are perceived to be so
The Board follows a risk-based lifecycle approach for ensuring that companies have adequate and effectively implemented safety and integrity management systems and programs. Regulated companies have the primary responsibility for safety and environmental protection as they design, build and operate their facilities, while the NEB is responsible for setting the regulatory framework that enables the achievement of its safety, security and environmental protection goals. By using a risk-based lifecycle approach and its suite of regulatory tools, the NEB can verify that companies identify and effectively manage the safety, security, environmental, socio-economic and land risks posed by their facilities throughout their lifecycle.
Objective 1: The NEB will take proactive action to address safety and integrity occurrences
Activities:
Objective 2: The NEB will develop information management tools to support the implementation of a risk-based lifecycle approach to the regulation of energy infrastructure
Activities:
Energy Regulation Program Expected Result:
NEB-regulated facilities are built and operated in a manner that protects the environment
In the NEB’s regulatory context, environmental protection means that energy infrastructure is designed, built, operated, and abandoned with full consideration of potential environmental effects and applicable regulations. While all environmental impacts cannot be eliminated, the NEB expects industry to use good design practices and effective operational oversight to minimize undesirable environmental consequences of their activities. Effective environmental protection requires early engagement of landowners, Aboriginal communities, and other stakeholders to ensure that their knowledge and expectations about environmental outcomes are incorporated into project design and processes.
Objective 3: Improve communication of the NEB’s performance in minimizing environmental impacts to pipeline rights of way
Activities:
Energy Regulation Program Expected Result:
Canadians benefit from efficient energy infrastructure and markets
The Board strives to ensure that Canadians benefit from efficient energy infrastructure and markets. The Board contributes to this goal through two main mechanisms: regulatory decisions around the construction and operation of energy infrastructure, and the provision of energy market information. The NEB’s program for Energy Regulation is focused on the first mechanism, while the NEB’s Energy Information Program addresses the provision of energy market information.
Objective 4: Ensure efficient and effective NEB regulatory processes
Activities:
Objective 5: Improve efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory processes in partnership with other agencies
Activities:
Energy Regulation Program Expected Result:
The rights and interests of those affected by NEB-regulated facilities and activities are respected
With increasing landowner concerns about the impacts of energy infrastructure development and about their relationship with pipeline companies and the Board, the NEB is working to clarify regulatory expectations for land matters. With the recommendations on land matters that emerged from consultation that the NEB conducted in 2008-2009, the NEB is working to extend the Board’s risk-based lifecycle management system requirements to encompass the rights and interests of those affected by NEB-regulated facilities and activities. At the same time, the NEB will work with landowners to clarify and communicate project review engagement processes. In support of the Crown’s obligation to consult, the NEB will also enhance its Aboriginal engagement program to ensure that Aboriginal people understand NEB processes and can effectively participate in those decision-making processes.
Objective 6: Extend the Board’s risk-based lifecycle approach – which is in place for safety, security and protecting the environment – to respecting the rights and interests of those affected by NEB-regulated facilities and activities
Activities:
Objective 7: Clarify regulatory expectations for the abandonment phase of the facility lifecycle
Activities:
The NEB’s program for Energy Regulation provides Canadians with regulation of pipelines, international power lines, energy development and trade. The regulatory framework focuses on ensuring Canadians have safe, secure and economically efficient energy infrastructure that is built and operated in a manner that protects the environment. Federally regulated systems transport over $100 billion worth of energy annually to markets in Canada and elsewhere. Regulated companies create wealth for Canadians through the transport of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, and through the export of hydrocarbons and electricity. In 2007 the revenue from energy exports from Canada exceeded $90 billion, the majority of which was exported via NEB-regulated systems. The NEB contributes to Canada’s strong economic growth by creating a regulatory framework that balances economic activities with the public interest.
The NEB’s Energy Information program provides the Board, industry, policy makers, and the Canadian public with energy industry information and market surveillance. This includes providing an outlook for supply and demand of energy commodities in Canada to assist in decision-making regarding energy infrastructure and markets by policy makers, industry and the public.
This program meets requirements under Part II of the NEB Act by informing Canadians on energy market developments and issues related to the Board’s regulatory mandate, which are primarily in the gas, oil and electricity market sectors, and under Part VI of the NEB Act by providing market analysis to determine whether exports are surplus to Canadian needs and Canadians are able to access energy at fair market prices.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending (million $) | |||||
2009-10 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
57.1 | 7.3 | 50.1 | 6.2 | 50.1 | 6.2 |
Energy Information Program Expected Results: | |||||
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Performance Indicators | Targets | ||||
The Board’s advice and energy information products are relevant and timely
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Through its Energy Information Program, the Board monitors energy markets and provides Canadians with a broad suite of information and analysis in areas primarily related to its mandate. The NEB develops an annually updated plan for this program, ensuring that areas chosen for research and analysis are timely, relevant and linked to its mandate. In the next fiscal year, the Board will be updating its reference case from Canada’s Energy Future: Reference and Scenarios to 2030, which represents the NEB’s long term view of energy supply and demand based on decisions made and on current trends.
Energy Information Program: Expected Result
Canadians benefit from efficient energy infrastructure and markets
In its Energy Information Program, the Board will focus on informing Canadians on energy market developments and issues related to the Board’s regulatory mandate, primarily for gas, oil and electricity market developments. The NEB collects and analyses information about Canadian energy markets through regulatory processes and market monitoring in order to support the Board’s regulatory program and to provide public information to support better decisions by policy makers, industry and the public.
Objective 1: Inform Canadians on emerging market issues and regulatory challenges related to the responsible development of infrastructure through the NEB’s Energy Information Program
Activities:
The NEB’s Energy Information Program contributes to efficient Canadian energy markets, and strong economic growth for Canada, through the sharing and monitoring of energy information. Through this program, policy makers, industry and the Canadian public have access to expert knowledge and energy market information to make informed choices about energy market options. Through its monitoring of energy exports, the Board ensures that Canadian energy users have access to domestically produced energy on terms and conditions at least as favourable as those available to export buyers, and ensures that energy markets are functioning properly.
Internal services enable the NEB’s mandate by providing, managing and maintaining necessary support services, including overseeing and administering the application of associated legislation and regulations. They include: Management and Oversight, Human Resources Management, Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Facilities/Asset Management, Information Management, Information Technology, Evaluation Services, and Internal Audit Services.
Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending (million $) | |||||
2009-10 | 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | |||
FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
128.4 | 16.4 | 106.7 | 13.2 | 106.7 | 13.2 |
The NEB’s Internal Services program requires sound business management and effective decision-making to ensure that the organization has the people, technology, facilities, records management procedures, and financial resources available to carry out its mandate.
Internal Services Program: Expected Result
The NEB delivers quality outcomes through innovation and leadership
The NEB has identified several priorities related to achieving the program’s Expected Result in 2009-2010.
Objective 1: Ensure the NEB has the necessary capacity to fulfill its mandate
The NEB mandate requires employees with considerable skills and expertise in specialized areas. Employee planning and development initiatives are required to ensure the NEB can recruit, retain and develop its employees while maintaining knowledge within the organization. The NEB plans to complete the implementation of a learning and development framework to facilitate employee learning, career development and retention in 2009-2010. In addition, staffing processes will be streamlined, including a renewal of the classification system for NEB positions.
The NEB is also focusing on improving its corporate processes by building capacity, enhancing the quality of its services and ensuring that its services are conducted in a timely and cost-effective manner for Canadians. Improvement to the NEB’s financial management system and it business continuity plan are two activities planned for 2009-2010 related to improving corporate efficiency. Financial and human resources processes will be incorporated into the NEB’s Quality Management System to ensure process consistency and knowledge maintenance.
Objective 2: Integrate quality management principles throughout the organization
In previous planning periods, the NEB implemented a Quality Management System based on the ISO 9000 Standard as part of its commitment to remain a respected leader in energy regulation. Quality management ensures that NEB processes and accountabilities are documented and consistently followed in order to identify process efficiencies, enhances knowledge transfer between employees and provides a means to effectively measure improvement. The NEB has an operational quality management system, but now must fully integrate the underlying quality management principles into all that it does. In 2009-2010, the NEB plans to achieve this through increasing engagement of all staff by raising their awareness and understanding of the benefits of quality management, completing process documentation, practicing continual improvement, and improving executive oversight of the quality management system.
Objective 3: The NEB is a top employer
The NEB has struggled with high attrition rates in a very competitive market and has developed and implemented several initiatives to improve its competitiveness. These efforts are yielding results and recently the NEB was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers for 2008 in a study conducted by a national newsmagazine. The criteria assessed included work atmosphere, family benefits, vacation time and performance management. The NEB is committed to maintaining a work environment that allows it to be recognized as a top employer in Canada. Aspects of this positive work environment include: a commitment to recognizing innovation and leadership at all levels of the organization; promoting a balance between professional and personal life; supporting career, family and personal goals; helping employees reach their full potential; and promoting NEB values and culture everyday. Employee satisfaction measures, along with recognition from outside the organization, will be key indicators of the NEB’s success in maintaining a highly skilled and highly motivated workforce.