• A quantitative risk assessment is not mandatory for now*. However, Enbridge Gaz Québec has committed to conducting this assessment and work started on July 2025. It should take a few months before its completion.
• Once complete, the risk assessment will then be submitted to the technical authorities prior to construction. It is possible that once the results of the study are known, certains aspects of the hydrogen pipeline design will need to be adjusted.
• To keep in mind: during the preliminary risk study (conducted in 2023), it was determined that for the public, the impact zone would be approximately the same size as that of a natural gas pipeline of comparable size and pressure.

*To note: a draft regulation (in French only) is currently under review and is expected to introduce changes to the construction and safety codes for hydrogen installations, including a mandated risk assessment.

• A dedicated leak detection process will be implemented for the pipeline to identify any issues along the route. The exact tools used and the system implemented to detect potential leaks are among the factors being studied in the ongoing risk analysis. It is important to note that any measures will need to be approved by the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).
• As with natural gas, Enbridge Gaz Québec will have a 24/7 emergency service that will be able to respond to any type of emergency and as with natural gas, we will collaborate closely with the municipal fire department on prevention and necessary training.
• In the event of a leak, Enbridge Gaz Québec will respond promptly to restore safety as quickly as possible.

• The risk of incidents from hydrogen pipelines is no greater than from natural gas pipelines of similar diameter and pressure.
• As we have done for the past 65 years with our natural gas pipelines, Enbridge Gaz Québec ensures that all necessary studies are carried out to design and operate a pipeline that is safe for the community.

• As with many construction projects, the schedule is subject to revision based on the progress of the various studies being conducted, potential adjustments to the project, and regulatory processes and approvals.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec ensures that the project complies with all applicable standards and regulations, and the completion of the necessary studies (engineering, environmental, risk) may take longer than initially anticipated. These studies involve multiple stakeholders, and delays may occur to ensure they are carried out properly.
• Initially, Enbridge Gaz Québec had set an ambitious schedule and had hoped these studies could be completed in 2024, with construction beginning in 2025, once the necessary approvals and permits had been obtained from the relevant authorities.
• This schedule had to be revised at the beginning of 2025 and remains, to this day, non-final.

• Different regulatory bodies are in place to ensure that the design process is carried out rigorously and with integrity, and that the proposed project complies with applicable laws and standards.
• These organizations review all completed studies and may request adjustments or additional studies.

• The distribution of hydrogen through pipelines is not subject to specific MELCCFP requirements.
• However, under article 22 of the environmental quality Act, a permit from the Ministry is still required for the pipeline and both hydrogen stations located on the route.
• Pipeline file was submitted to the Ministry in February 2025. The other two files (one for each station) will be submitted later in 2025, when all necessary studies will be completed.

• Engineering studies have been finalized in July 2025. They will now be submitted to appropriate authorities, such as the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ).

It is worth noting that a draft regulation (in French only) is currently under review and is expected to introduce changes to the construction and safety codes for hydrogen installations. Enbridge Gaz Québec has already taken steps to comply and is committed to adhering to all provisions that will be adopted.

The various permits required from the City of Gatineau will also be requested before the work starts. These permits will be applied for once all the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained.

• Our preliminary work has shown that installing the pipeline within the municipal right-of-way has the least environmental impact.
• The public participation period also allowed us to understand the concerns related to the various proposed routes and confirmed that the selected route posed fewer risks, due to:

-Proximity of our emergency services and our teams, as well as easy and fast access to infrastructures

-Gatineau has a response unit trained to handle emergencies involving flammable gases

-A strong municipal culture that is aware of safe excavation and utility location processes

• In general, the same criteria were applied as would be for a natural gas pipeline of similar size and pressure, with respect to social factors along the route.

• The environmental assessment for the pipeline was completed at the end of 2024 and submitted to the MELCCFP in early 2025. Ministry approval remains mandatory before the project can begin. More information can be found in the Regulations section of this FAQ.

Enbridge Gaz Québec understands that the route of a hydrogen distribution pipeline in an urban area may raise concerns. However,

• Numerous hydrogen pipeline projects exist around the world, in jurisdictions where safety is a top priority for both governments and companies, just as it is in Canada. More information is available in About our project section of this FAQ. 
• All the necessary time is devoted to conducting engineering and risk studies to ensure the safety of the pipeline and that all components and materials are suitable for hydrogen distribution.
• It is important to note that regulatory bodies are in place to ensure that the design process is carried out rigorously and with integrity, and that the proposed project complies with applicable laws and standards. These organizations review all studies and may request adjustments or additional studies.
• For the past 65 years, Enbridge Gaz Québec has operated similar underground gas pipelines in urban areas of Gatineau and continues to ensure the safety and reliability of its network for its customers and the community.

• Economic factors to ensure the project’s profitability were also considered in the route selection, but this does not necessarily mean that the least expensive route was chosen.
• It was by analyzing all the criteria, environmental, economic, and social, that the selected route was seen as the best possible option.

• Although several non-urban corridors may appear less costly, easier to implement, and safer, it is important to understand that the route selection process is complex and considers numerous social, environmental, economic, and safety factors.
• Gas distribution pipelines are primarily installed within municipal rights-of-way to facilitate access for new connections, inspections, maintenance, and emergency interventions.

• Yes, for example, since 2019, Enbridge has been operating a natural gas system with 2% hydrogen.
• Many other gas distributors in Canada, U.S and Europe, in particular, are also currently considering hydrogen blending in their natural gas networks. More information is available in About our project section of this FAQ. 
• Some areas in the world have already been blending hydrogen for many years, sometimes at higher blending percentage.

• The CSA Group has determined that 5% hydrogen in natural gas has no impact on the performance of natural gas appliances.
• At no point has the CSA Group indicated that this limit was related to users’ safety.
• Studies are underway to determine the impact of a higher ratio, in Canada and other areas worldwide (for example 15%, 20%, or possibly even more).

• This is the initial phase of a long-term global project that involves establishing a regional energy ecosystem in the Outaouais.
• This initial phase is focused on the production, distribution and consumption of clean hydrogen.
• The project involves capturing gaseous hydrogen as a sub-product at the Erco plant in Gatineau, and distributing it through a pipeline extending over some 20 kilometres that will be built between the Buckingham and airport sectors.

• Sustainable energy that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Replacement of a fossil fuel by a renewable energy.

The different colours attributed to hydrogen refer to the ways it is produced.

• Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, using electricity from renewable sources (hydro or wind). That’s the hydrogen used in Enbridge Gaz Québec’s project.
• Blue hydrogen is produced through the gasification of natural gas or coal, including a device for capturing and storing CO2.
• Gray hydrogen is produced by separating the hydrogen and carbon atoms in natural gas using water vapour or heat.

• The green hydrogen that is the focus of our project is produced locally, here in the Outaouais, from water and clean electricity.
• Enbridge Gaz Québec will buy that hydrogen from producers, and could deliver it to industrial or commercial customers, as well as to the natural gas system.
• The hydrogen would then blend with the traditional natural gas in the distribution system, and power the appliances connected to the system the same way as traditional natural gas. This would directly reduce those appliances’ emissions, as well as those of customers.