N-E-B suspends pipeline hearings

A controversy over two of its panel members has forced the National Energy Board to suspend public hearings into the Energy East Pipeline.

The board received the motions after the revelation that two panel members met with former Quebec premier Jean Charest, who was a paid lobbyist at the time for the company behind the pipeline proposal…TransCanada Corp. The federal regulatory body has been heavily criticized by activists and politicians who claim it is in a conflict of interest.