The National Energy Board has denied requests from more than 40 local governments and First Nations to be interveners in their Coastal GasLink pipeline hearing.
A result of a jurisdictional challenge from Smithers resident Michael Sawyer, the hearing will determine whether or not the NEB needs to conduct a federal review of the project.
When the Board announced the hearing, numerous concerned municipalities and First Nations began to seek intervener status.
Earlier this week, the Board announced that they were rejecting the majority of the requests, stating that they failed to offer a unique contribution to the jurisdictional issue.
46 requests in total have been denied, including those of the Haisla Nation, the District of Kitimat, and the City of Terrace.
