Turning VOC Phase 2 into Reality: The Partnerships Making Compliance Work
When new regulations are introduced, success depends on more than meeting a deadline. It depends on people coming together to solve challenges, share expertise and turn complex requirements into practical solutions.
That collaborative approach is what earned National Energy Equipment (NEE) and Senior Business Leader Tiina McCombie the Canadian Fuels Association’s 2026 Collaboration and Partnership Award.
As VOC Phase 2 regulations approached implementation, fuel terminal operators needed practical solutions, not just regulatory requirements, to make compliance work.
For Tiina, whose more than 40-year career has spanned nearly every part of Canada’s fuels distribution network, the answer wasn’t simply finding the right technology, it was bringing together the right people.
“Our objective was to bring together the technical know-how, practical experience and resources needed to help the industry move forward,” she says.
NEE helps keep Canada’s fuel infrastructure running safely and reliably through engineering, technical services, equipment and maintenance support. With more than 600 employees and 16 branches across Canada, the company works closely with partners across the fuel supply chain to solve operational challenges and support the safe, efficient movement of fuels.
“Infrastructure support for fuels handling is complex and takes a workforce of dedicated people with specialized knowledge, industry training and accreditation,” says Tiina. “I am fortunate to work with many industry leaders and manufacturers across the sector who truly make it all happen.”
After learning about the scope and timeline of VOC Phase 2 from CFA President and CEO Bob Larocque, Tiina brought together expertise from across NEE’s engineering, truck shop and field services teams while engaging equipment manufacturers to better understand available technologies and implementation strategies.
Working alongside CFA Director, Government & Stakeholder Relations – Western Canada, Rob Hoffman, a forum was established to connect members and bring together suppliers, operators and technical experts to share knowledge, discuss implementation challenges and explore practical solutions.
That collaboration culminated in the December 2025 VOC workshop, which brought together experts from across the fuels supply chain to exchange perspectives, identify common challenges and discuss how available solutions could be implemented. Rather than navigating these challenges independently, participants were able to learn from one another and work toward a more coordinated approach.
“I believe it’s incredibly important to have in-person connections with people who share a common interest,” says Tiina. Everyone brings different perspectives and experience that contribute to stronger, more integrated solutions.”
The same collaborative approach extended beyond VOC implementation to address support for ethanol fuel blend infrastructure and when new renewable diesel measurement standards created challenges, the team at NEE worked with CFA Vice President of Western Canada, Innovation and Regulatory Affairs, David Schick, Measurement Canada and equipment manufacturers to develop interim solutions that helped keep renewable diesel projects moving while permanent standards were put in place.
Without those partnerships, projects could have faced costly delays, unnecessary rework and slower deployment of infrastructure supporting Canada’s evolving energy system.
Receiving the Collaboration and Partnership Award came as a surprise and personal honor for Tiina, but she sees it as recognition of the industry’s willingness to work together.
“It makes me immensely proud of the work we do at NEE and being part of such a supportive industry community where everyone can work together for the betterment of its future,” she says. “Personally, it feels really good that I’m able to contribute to an industry that has provided me with a terrific career.”
As Canada’s fuels sector continues to evolve, Tiina believes the lesson from VOC Phase 2 is clear: meaningful progress happens when industry partners share knowledge, build trust and work together long before implementation begins.
