National Energy Board Approves Horn River Project


CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) today approved an application from NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) to construct and operate the Horn River facilities, and to purchase and operate a portion of the existing Ekwan Pipeline (the Ekwan Section). Together, the Horn River facilities and the Ekwan Section comprise the Horn River Project (the Project).

The $307 million Project would transport sweet natural gas from the Horn River Basin in northeast British Columbia to NGTL's Alberta System and provide customers direct access to the NOVA Inventory Transfer (NIT) market.

The Project consists of two primary components: NGTL's acquisition and operation of the Ekwan Section and the construction and operation of new pipeline and metering facilities. The new facilities include the Cabin Section (72 km of new pipeline) and the Komie East Extension (2.2 km of new pipeline). Four new meter stations would also be constructed and the existing Ekwan meter station would be modified.

The NEB's approval to proceed with the Project includes 31 conditions which NGTL must comply with during the construction and operation of the Project. Several of the conditions target the protection of the boreal woodland caribou and caribou habitat, migratory birds and wetlands in the Project area.

The NEB issued Hearing Order GH‑2‑2010 on 26 April 2010. The Hearing Order indicated that the Board would convene an oral hearing in October 2010. On 13 October 2010, the Board revised the hearing process, based on comments from intervenors indicating that oral cross-examination of NGTL was not necessary. The remainder of the proceeding was conducted by way of written submissions.

The NEB is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest.

This news release and the Reasons for Decision are available on the Board's website at www.neb‑one.gc.ca under What's New!

For further information:
Tara O'Donovan (tara.odonovan@neb-one.gc.ca)
Communications Officer
Telephone: 403-299-3371   
 
For a copy of decision GH‑2‑2010, contact:
National Energy Board
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Telephone: 403-299-3561
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