Joint Review Panel Begins Assessment of Recently Filed Northern Gateway
Pipeline Application

CALGARY, May 27 /CNW/ - With today's filing of the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project application, the Joint Review Panel (the Panel) will begin its assessment of the application.

The Panel will review the proposed project under both the National Energy Board Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. It will assess the application according to the Joint Review Panel Agreement and Terms of Reference.

The Panel will first review the application to determine if it contains sufficient information to initiate the joint review process and issue a Hearing Order. The Hearing Order will outline the various ways people can participate in the review process, deadlines for key steps of the process and a draft List of Issues which will be considered for the project. Information sessions and panel sessions will be held in communities close to the proposed project. All of these sessions will be public and advertised in local media. A complete schedule will be posted on the National Energy Board's website and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's website.

The proposed project involves the construction of two pipelines and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal. The two pipelines are each approximately 1,170 kilometres in length, from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. One 914 mm (36 inch) outside diameter line would carry on average 525,000 barrels per day of petroleum products west to Kitimat. The other line, a 508 mm (20 inch) outside diameter pipeline, would carry on average 193,000 barrels of condensate per day east to Bruderheim. Condensate is used to thin petroleum products for pipeline transport.

The Kitimat Marine Terminal would have two ship berths and storage for three condensate tanks and 11 petroleum tanks. It would also include a radar monitoring station and first response capabilities.

For further information, please review the Question and Answers document on the National Energy Board's website at www.neb-one.gc.ca, under Major Applications - Northern Gateway Pipeline Project and on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, under reference number 06-05-21799. A copy of the Joint Review Panel Agreement outlining the mandate and authorities of the Panel can also be found on both these websites.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency provides periodic updates on the Panel's activities. To receive these updates, provide a full e-mail address to [email protected].

About the Joint Review Panel

The Joint Review Panel for the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the National Energy Board. The Panel will assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the application under both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the National Energy Board Act.

This news release and the Application are available both on the National Energy Board's website (www.neb-one.gc.ca under What's New!) and on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's website (www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca).

For further information: Annie Roy, Manager, Communications, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Tel.: [phone]; Kristen Higgins, Communications Officer, National Energy Board, Tel.: [phone]