Funding available to participate in the NEB's regulatory process regarding the Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. North Montney project

CALGARY, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB, or the Board) is making available $250,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist directly affected persons to participate in the regulatory process of the Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) North Montney project. A higher amount may be considered once applications for funding are received.

The proposed project includes the construction and operation of 305 km of pipeline in northeast British Columbia, along with associated metering facilities, valve sites and possible compression facilities. The potential natural gas pipeline, referred to as the North Montney Mainline, will consist of two sections, Aitken Creek and Kahta. It will connect with the existing Groundbirch Mainline (Saturn Section), located about 35 km southwest of Fort St. John and will continue about 187 km northwest of Fort St. John.

If approved, the proposed pipeline would transport natural gas from the North Montney area to the NOVA Inventory Transfer market hub and through the NGTL system and interconnected pipelines to markets in Alberta and North America.

Funding is being made available to help those persons who are directly affected or have relevant information or expertise review and comment on a project application to be submitted by NGTL.

A funding review committee, independent of the regulatory process, will consider all applications for funding and make recommendations on the allocation of funds.

Funding applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Funding will only be awarded for hearing related activities conducted after your application has been approved. Funding must be used to prepare for and participate in the hearing process, which will be announced by the Board at a later date. Please review the Participant Funding Program Guide to determine when and how to apply for funding and what funding will cover.

To receive funding, all approved recipients will be required to apply to participate and be granted intervenor status in the NEB's regulatory process for this project.

A List of Issues identifying the topics the Board will consider during the review process will soon be available on the NEB website. Those who are interested in applying for Participant Funding are encouraged to review information on the proposed project.

Interested persons should also review the Application for Funding Form and the Contribution Agreement available on the Board's website (www.neb-one.gc.ca) under Participant Funding Program.

Please visit the NEB website for general information about the hearing process and how you 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 National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada's energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. For more information on the NEB and its mandate, please visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The National Energy Board announced today that $250,000 of Participant Funding would be available for the Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. North Montney project. The proposed pipeline would transport natural gas from the North Montney area in northeast BC to markets in Alberta and North America. Funding applications should be submitted as soon as possible. To find out more about the project, or to apply for funding, visit www.neb-one.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Government of Canada

Whitney Punchak ([email protected])
Communications Officer
Telephone: [phone]
TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663