FortisBC starts construction of expanded Tilbury LNG Facility

$400-million expansion will significantly increase natural gas liquefaction and storage capacity to support growing demand for B.C. LNG

SURREY, B.C., Oct. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - FortisBC – a subsidiary of Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) – officially started construction of its $400-million Tilbury LNG Facility expansion project today. The company is adding 1.1 million gigajoules of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to storage and 34,000 gigajoules per day of liquefaction capacity.

FortisBC marked the occasion with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by The Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia; Delta Mayor Lois Jackson; as well as Scott Hamilton, MLA North Delta; and Vicki Huntington, MLA South Delta.

FortisBC Energy Inc. operates the only two LNG facilities in Western Canada. The existing Tilbury LNG Facility opened in 1971 and has safely operated in Delta, B.C. for the last 43 years. The expanded liquefaction plant will be powered by electric drives and the facility will be air-cooled eliminating the need for cooling water.

The expansion allows FortisBC to meet the growing demand for natural gas for transportation, as an energy solution for remote communities and for the marketplace. The project also supports the Government of British Columbia's goal of creating a strong LNG industry in the province.

"As demand for natural gas increases around the world, British Columbia is uniquely positioned to take advantage. FortisBC's investment is a vote of confidence in B.C.'s growing LNG industry, both for export and domestic use," said Premier Christy Clark.

Over the last five years, FortisBC has seen a significant growth in the demand for natural gas from the transportation sector as companies look to reduce fleet costs and curb greenhouse gas emissions.

To date, FortisBC has announced more than $17.5 million in incentives for approximately 400 heavy-duty LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, as well as incentives for five marine vessels. Heavy-duty customers Vedder Transport Ltd., Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. and Denwill Enterprises Inc. acquire LNG from the existing Tilbury LNG facility.

FortisBC LNG is also increasingly being used as a cleaner, more efficient and less expensive energy source by remote communities with no access to natural gas pipeline systems.

Inuvik in the Northwest Territories is offsetting its diesel-fuel utility operations using LNG transported from Tilbury. Residents of Revelstoke could also soon enjoy more stable energy bills and cleaner burning fuel, pending the results of FortisBC's evaluation followed by a BC Utilities Commission application to convert the community to natural gas from piped propane.

FortisBC is in a unique position to meet demand by leveraging its existing infrastructure to rapidly and cost-effectively increase the supply of LNG to these growing markets.

FortisBC's parent company Fortis Inc. has long seen the potential in British Columbia and has approximately $8 billion invested in B.C. energy infrastructure which directly benefits B.C. taxpayers. In 2014 alone, Fortis Inc. will invest another $600 million in B.C.

"Our investments and the market potential for LNG as a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly fuel source provides benefits for British Columbians – including our existing utility customers," said John Walker, Executive Vice President, Western Canadian Operations, Fortis Inc. "FortisBC LNG is helping B.C. businesses increase their competitive position, while the increased demand will bring rate benefits for our nearly one million natural gas customers across the province."

Additional volumes of natural gas moving through FortisBC's pipeline system as a result of this increased LNG demand will result in better year-round utilization of FortisBC's infrastructure and help keep natural gas delivery rates stable for all customers, added Walker.

The expansion will bring job creation and economic benefits to the community of Delta.

"The expansion of the Tilbury LNG Facility will bring skilled jobs to our community, providing further opportunities for growth amongst our local trades and technical sector," said Mayor Lois E. Jackson. "This prime location and excellent infrastructure truly position Delta as the municipality of emerging opportunities."

Construction will begin immediately. FortisBC anticipates that LNG from the expanded facility will supply transportation customers by the fourth quarter of 2016.

About FortisBC
FortisBC is a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, electricity and propane. FortisBC employs more than 2,200 British Columbians and serves approximately 1.1 million customers in 135 B.C. communities. FortisBC owns and operates two liquefied natural gas storage facilities and four regulated hydroelectric generating plants, approximately 7,150 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines, and approximately 46,000 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC Inc., FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., and FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc. do business as FortisBC. FortisBC is indirectly wholly owned by Fortis Inc. The shares of Fortis Inc. are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

About Fortis Inc.
Fortis is a leader in the North American electric and gas utility business, with total assets approaching $25 billion and fiscal 2013 revenue exceeding $4 billion.  Its regulated utilities account for approximately 93% of total assets and serve 3.1 million customers across Canada and in the United States and the Caribbean.  Fortis owns non-regulated hydroelectric generation assets in Canada, Belize and Upstate New York.  The Corporation's non-utility investment is comprised of hotels and commercial real estate in Canada.  For more information, visit www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

Forward Looking Information
Fortis includes forward-looking information in this media release within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada ("forward-looking information"). The purpose of the forward-looking information is to provide management's expectations regarding results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes.  All forward‑looking information is given pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words "anticipates", "believes", "budgets", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "may", "might", "plans", "projects", "schedule", "should", "will", "would" and similar expressions are often intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward‑looking information contains these identifying words.  The forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on assumptions developed using information currently available to the Corporation's management. Although Fortis believes that the forward-looking statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. For additional information on risk factors that have the potential to affect the Corporation, reference should be made to the Corporation's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and to the heading "Business Risk Management" in the Corporation's annual and quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis.  Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.

Image with caption: "Over the last five years, FortisBC has seen a growth in demand for natural gas from the transportation sector. To date, FortisBC has announced more than $17.5 million in incentives for heavy-duty LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. (Photo credit: FortisBC) (CNW Group/FortisBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141021_C1381_PHOTO_EN_6938.jpg

Image with caption: "Over the last five years, FortisBC has seen a growth in demand for natural gas from the transportation sector. To date, FortisBC has announced more than $17.5 million in incentives for heavy-duty LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. (Photo credit: FortisBC) (CNW Group/FortisBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141021_C1381_PHOTO_EN_6939.jpg

Image with caption: "The expanded Tilbury LNG Facility includes an additional 1.1 million gigajoules of LNG storage and 34,000 gigajoules of liquefaction capacity per day. The expansion will significantly increase natural gas liquefaction and storage capacity to support growing demand for B.C. LNG. (photo credit: FortisBC) (CNW Group/FortisBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141021_C1381_PHOTO_EN_6940.jpg

Image with caption: "The expanded Tilbury LNG Facility includes an additional 1.1 million gigajoules of LNG storage and 34,000 gigajoules of liquefaction capacity per day. The expansion will significantly increase natural gas liquefaction and storage capacity to support growing demand for B.C. LNG. (photo credit: FortisBC) (CNW Group/FortisBC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141021_C1381_PHOTO_EN_6941.jpg

SOURCE: FortisBC

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Allison, Corporate Communications Advisor, FortisBC, Phone: [phone], fortisbc.com, twitter.com/fortisBC