Since the signing of the Atlantic Accord in 1985, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has provided regulatory oversight of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas resource development. The C-NLOPB’s mandate includes offshore safety, environmental protection, resource management and industrial benefits.

In 2022, the federal and provincial governments announced their intention to expand the mandate of the C-NLOPB to include the regulation of offshore renewable energy. In May 2023, proposed amendments to the Atlantic Accord Acts were introduced in Parliament. These amendments will expand the C-NLOPB’s mandate to also include offshore renewable energy development and will rename the C-NLOPB to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (CNLOER).

With almost 40 years of regulatory experience, technical expertise and administrative capacity, we are well positioned to take on this new and exciting transition.

As always, our focus remains on maintaining the highest levels of safety for offshore workers as well as environmental protection and will continue to maintain these priorities throughout the energy transition.

Updates regarding the expansion of our mandate and official name change can continue to be found here, as we move forward with this exciting new journey!

Related Links

• Building Offshore Renewables in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia
• Scott Tessier, CEO – House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources for Bill C-49 Opening Statement
• Standing Committee Recording