Energy pipeline environmental plans

Energy Pipeline operations are regulated under the Energy Pipelines Act and the Energy Pipeline Regulations. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade policy is that the environment management components of the Pipeline Management Plan are made public in an Environment Management Plan (EMP) that is submitted by the proponent and approved by the department.

The EMP must demonstrate how environmental risks are controlled and reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) and acceptable. The development of the EMP requires that stakeholders affected by the activity are properly consulted and engaged and that the full contents of the EMP, with the exception of strictly in confidence information as defined by the Information Act, be made public on the department's website.

The EMP portion of the Pipeline Management Plan (PMP) is published on the government’s website within 14 days after the PMP has been accepted by the Minister.