Canada. Northern Pipeline Agency : The Northern Pipeline Agency (NPA) is the federal regulator of the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline in Canada. It was established in 1978 by the Northern Pipeline Act (26-27 Eliz. II, c. 20), following the 1977 Canada-United States agreement to build a northern pipeline system through Canada (officially known as Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States Of America Concerning Transit Pipelines). This pipeline system was meant to transport natural gas from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to the continental United States. The NPA's initial mandate was twofold: first, to determine whether to allow an American pipeline to cross over Canadian territory; and, second, to recommend whether a constructed pipeline should be all-American or a joint Canadian-American effort. H.B. Robinson was appointed the first Northern Pipeline Commissioner in 1977.
As the regulator of the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline, the NPA is responsible for coordinating information from various departmental reports, the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, the Federal Power Commission in the United States, the National Energy Board, and others. Its continuing mandate is to ensure the project is undertaken in such a way to maximize the benefits and minimize any adverse impacts at the social, economic, and environmental levels, as well as to take into account local and regional interests, especially those of Indigenous peoples. This includes leading public consultations, conducting environmental and economic reviews, and holding hearings and inquiries.
The route for the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline proposed by Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd. (now owned by TransCanada PipeLines Ltd) was certified in 1978. A "pre-build" pipeline with two legs running from Caroline, Alberta, south to the U.S. border was constructed and became operational in 1982. Shortly thereafter, further construction was delayed due to unfavourable economic conditions. Since then, there have been a series of expansions of the pre-build pipeline, various studies have been conducted, and attempts to complete the northern part of project have been made.
As of 2020, planning for construction of the northern part of the pipeline has not resumed. Pending its resumption, the NPA does not maintain its own staff. It is managed by the Northern Pipeline Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor in Council. The current Commissioner is the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada. The NPA is supported by other institutions in the Natural Resources portfolio, in particular the Canada Energy Regulator (formerly National Energy Board).
