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National Energy Board schedules hearing for TransCanada Alberta System Jurisdiction and Facilities Certificate

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08/28
For immediate release
21 July 2008

CALGARY - The National Energy Board (the Board or NEB) today released Hearing Order GH-5-2008, announcing its intention to hold a public hearing process on a recent application from TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada) requesting that the TransCanada Alberta System be declared under federal jurisdiction and that the NEB issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for it under section 52 of the National Energy Board Act.

The oral part of the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, 18 November 2008, at a location to be determined.

The TransCanada Alberta System is an existing natural gas pipeline system comprised of approximately 23 500 km of pipeline and associated facilities located within Alberta. It is owned by NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TransCanada, and is presently regulated under provincial legislation by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

The hearing will proceed in two streams. The first will address whether the TransCanada Alberta system is subject to federal jurisdiction. The Board is seeking written submissions on this issue. After TransCanada's reply, scheduled for 26 September 2008, the Board will determine if it needs further information to determine the question of jurisdiction.

Concurrently with this jurisdictional process, a second stream, the Facilities Process, will be held to address TransCanada's request for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 52 of the National Energy Board Act.

Any person wishing to participate in this hearing process may do so in one of three ways:

i. by filing an application to intervene by 12 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), 22 August 2008 with the Secretary of the Board and serving a copy on TransCanada and its counsel;
ii. by filing a letter of comment to the Secretary of the Board and sending a copy to TransCanada and its counsel by 12 p.m. MDT on 12 September 2008 for the Jurisdiction Process and 10 October 2008 for the Facilities Process; or,
iii. by filing a letter with the Board requesting the opportunity to make an oral statement for the Facilities process and sending a copy to TransCanada and its counsel by 12 p.m. MDT, 10 October 2008.

In keeping with its mandate to represent the public interest in issues of safety, security, environmental protection and economic effectiveness, the Board will work collaboratively with provincial regulators to the extent necessary to proactively prepare for a possible seamless transition of regulatory authority, should the Board determine it has jurisdiction.

The NEB Web site outlines general information about the hearing process and how the public can participate effectively. To access the information, go to www.neb-one.gc.ca, select Hearings and Information Sessions, and then click on Participate in a Public Hearing.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety and security, environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in the Canadian public interest, within the mandate set by Parliament in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade.

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For further information:

Stacey Squires
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
E-mail: stacey.squires@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-221-3294
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Telecopier: 403-292-5503
Telecopier (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

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