National Energy Board

National Energy Board

The National Energy Board was established 1959 under the National Energy Board Act. The board is responsible for authorizing the export of oil, natural gas and electricity, the import of gas, the construction and operation of interprovincial and international PIPELINES, international power lines and designated interprovincial power lines, and the setting of tolls and tariffs for oil and gas pipelines. It also has regulatory responsibilities under the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act for oil and gas activities on Canada's frontier lands.

The Board has an advisory function and may, on its own initiative, hold inquiries and conduct studies on specific matters and prepare reports for the information of the federal government, of Parliament and of the general public. It has administered the National Oil Policy (1961-74) and the NATIONAL ENERGY PROGRAM. Over the years, the board's advisory role has declined in importance as the federal government has come to rely increasingly on its civil service for energy policy. The Board has all the powers vested in a superior court of record and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources.