Funding Awarded for Participation in the Regulatory Process for the Enbridge Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project

CALGARY, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The National Energy Board (NEB or Board) has awarded a total of $123,500 to three applicants to support their participation in the regulatory process for the proposed Enbridge Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project in southwestern Ontario.

The funding recipients include the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, the Ontario Pipeline Landowners Association, and the coalition of Équiterre/Environmental Defence/Environment Northeast.

This funding is being made available to help recipients review and comment on the project application that was submitted by the proponent, Enbridge Pipelines Inc (Enbridge). Funding must be used to prepare for and participate in the public hearing process as set out in the Hearing Order and Procedural Updates for the OH-005-2011 proceeding.

The oral argument portion of the hearing will start on 23 May 2012 at the Hilton London Ontario, 300 King Street, in London, Ontario.

An independent funding review committee reviewed the requests and provided recommendations on funding allocations. The committee's report, Allocation of Funds for Participation in the Public Hearing for the Enbridge Line 9 Reversal Phase I Project, along with further information on the project, is available on the Board's website (www.neb-one.gc.ca under Major Applications and Projects.

In its application, which was filed on 8 August 2011 under section 58 of the National Energy Board Act, Enbridge is asking the NEB to approve the additions and modifications required to allow the reversal of crude oil flow within a segment of Line 9 - a 762-millimetre (30 inches) outside diameter crude oil pipeline - from the Sarnia Terminal to the North Westover Station in southwestern Ontario.

All proposed work would take place on existing Enbridge facilities and surface leases. Construction would be limited to previously disturbed areas, contained within Enbridge's existing facilities or right-of-way, and no new lands would be required.

The shift in flow direction from west to east would see the pipeline revert back to the direction that was originally approved in 1975. The current westward flow has been in place since 1999.

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.

Please visit the NEB website for general information about the hearing process. To access the information, go to www.neb-one.gc.ca, select Hearing and Information Sessions, and then click on Participate in a Public Hearing. This news release is also available on the Board's website under What's New!

Carole Léger-Kubeczek

Email: [email protected]

Communications Officer

Telephone: [phone]

TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663