Panhandle Regional Expansion Project

Project updates

On Oct. 18, 2021, the project launched with the kick-off of the environmental report process.

The environmental report is now complete, and can be viewed via the regulatory information tab below.

Enbridge Gas filed an application for the proposed pipeline with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on June 10, 2022. An updated application was also filed with the OEB on June 16, 2023.

On May 14, 2024, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued its Decision and Order, granting leave to construct the project. Construction on the project started June 16, 2024.

Project calendar

Project consultation

For new construction projects, engagement with Indigenous communities, government agencies, municipalities, stakeholders, the public and other interested persons is an integral component in the route and site selection process.

Prior to construction, public input is obtained to ensure that the community is advised of the proposed project, and to involve the public in the decision-making process. Public consultation is a key component of the environmental report.

By providing the public with an opportunity to receive information about the project, the consultation program helps identify and address stakeholder concerns, and have meaningful participation into the project review and development process.

Public input from the virtual information session will be used to help finalize the project and mitigation plans to be implemented during construction.

Now that the Leave-to-Construct application has been submitted to the OEB, any party with an interest in the project, including members of the public, can participate in the process.

Public notification

Virtual information session

Stakeholder consultation is an important part of this study. Members of the public, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders were invited to attend two virtual information sessions to review the project and provide comments.

Both sessions (held from Nov. 17 to Dec. 3, 2021 and from Feb. 14 to Feb. 28, 2022, respectively) have now ended.

Project commencement letters

Notice of Project Commencement letters were mailed out to the OPCC, agencies, local Municipalities, directly and indirectly affected landowners, and Indigenous communities on Oct. 15, 2021 and Oct. 19, 2021. A second set of letters, including notification about the second information session, was sent to the same parties in February 2022. A third notification, with additional project updates, was sent to the same parties in April 2022.

Newspaper advertisements

The Notice of Project Commencement was published in the following newspapers:

• Windsor Star: Nov. 10, 2021
• Southpoint Sun: Nov. 10, 2021
• Chatham Daily News: Nov. 11, 2021
• Chatham Voice: Nov. 11, 2021.

The Notice of Virtual Information Session #2 was also published in the Southpoint Sun on Feb. 9, 2022.

Regulatory information

The Panhandle Regional Expansion Project is regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), an independent government agency that regulates the electricity and natural gas sectors. After a public review and hearing, the OEB will determine whether to approve the project. In this section, you can review all regulatory files about the project once they are available .

Environmental assessment

In accordance with the OEB's Environmental Guidelines for the Location, Construction and Operation of Hydrocarbon Pipeline and Facilities in Ontario, 7th Edition 2016, Enbridge Gas retained the services of AECOM Consulting, an independent environmental consultant, to complete an environmental assessment for the proposed project.

The purpose of the environmental assessment is to:

• identify any potential impacts of the proposed project on the social, economic and natural environments
• identify local or provincial concerns regarding the proposed project
• determine preferred routing of the pipeline segments
• gather input from agencies, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, affected landowners, and the public.

It also recommends mitigation measures to limit impacts on the social, economic and natural environments. It is important to minimize potential negative impacts of the proposed natural gas distribution pipelines and associated facilities on the environment. The data, analysis and results of the environmental assessment are detailed in the environmental report.

Please click the links below to view the environmental report and its related appendices.

• Environmental report
• Appendix E
• Appendix F

Leave to construct application

On June 10, 2022 Enbridge Gas filed a leave to construct application with the OEB.

Read the leave to construct application

On June 16, 2023, Enbridge Gas filed an updated Leave to Construct application with the OEB.

Read the updated application.
Read the notice of hearing.

On May 14, 2024, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued its Decision and Order, granting leave to construct the project.

Application for early access to land

Enbridge Gas has applied to the OEB pursuant to section 98(2) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, for an order authorizing entry onto certain properties to conduct environmental and engineering examinations and surveys that are necessary for fixing the site of the hydrocarbon line that it has proposed to construct in its EB-2022-0157 application.

Read the application and evidence.

On April 2, 2024, the OEB issued its decision regarding this early access application. In summary, the OEB approved Enbridge Gas’s request for early access to the properties, subject to the Conditions of Approval contained in the Decision.

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