The National Energy Board of Canada has denied an application by Sumas Energy 2 Inc. (SE2; Bellingham, Washington, U.S.) to construct the Canadian portion of an 8.5-km (5-mile) international power line (IPL) originating at the Canada/United States international boundary near Sumas, Washington, and running to a BC Hydro substation in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The IPL would have permitted SE2 to transport electricity from a proposed power plant to be constructed in Sumas to BC Hydro's substation.

The board decided that it was unable to come to the conclusion that the IPL would be in the Canadian public interest and would be required for the present and future public convenience and necessity. After identifying and weighing the benefits and burdens in Canada of the proposed IPL and power plant, the board concluded that, on balance, the burdens of the IPL outweigh the benefits.

The board determined that the benefits of the IPL and power plant even if they were all realized would not be substantial benefits to Canadians, or to the local and regional communities.

The board found that the burdens in Canada associated with the IPL and power plant would be many and real. Most would be borne almost entirely by the local and regional communities, whereas the benefits would be either external to these communities or negligible in value.

The board considered the application during 39 days of public hearing held in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.
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