Joint Review Panel for Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will begin Final Hearings in Edmonton

CALGARY, Aug. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The Joint Review Panel (the Panel) conducting the review of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will begin the questioning phase of the final hearings on 4 September 2012 in Edmonton, Alberta at the Holiday Inn Conference Centre at 2:00 p.m. (Mountain Time).

The issues that will be subject to questioning in Edmonton are the economic need for the Project, the potential impacts of the proposed Project on commercial interests and financial and tolling matters.  The Edmonton hearing is scheduled to run from 4 to 8 September and from 17 to 28 September. Please see the Panel's website at www.gatewaypanel.review.gc.ca for the start times for each day as well as more information on the joint review process.

Final hearings for questioning will also be held in Prince George, British Columbia (scheduled for 9 to 19 October and 29 October to 9 November) and Prince Rupert, British Columbia (scheduled for 22 to 30 November and 10 to18 December). For the list of issues that will be subject to questioning at each of these locations, please see Appendix A of Procedural Direction #8 on the Panel's website. The hearing schedule will be reviewed as questioning proceeds and may be modified from time-to-time, as required.

The Panel anticipates Final Argument to take place in March to April 2013. Further details will be communicated in the future.

Media Procedure for the Final Hearings
Members of the media are welcome to attend the hearings. Filming, recording and photographing will be allowed within pre-established fixed locations in the hearing room while the hearings are underway. Media reporting or interviews will not be allowed in the hearing room. The Panel reserves the right to modify the media procedure for the hearings at any time.

The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project involves the construction of two 1 170-kilometre pipelines running from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia and the construction and operation of the Kitimat Marine Terminal.

About the Joint Review Panel

The Joint Review Panel for the Enbridge Northern Gateway 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, 2012 and the National Energy Board Act.

SOURCE: National Energy Board

Annie Roy ([email protected])
Manager, Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Telephone: [phone]

Kristen Higgins ([email protected])
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
Telephone [phone]
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Telecopier: 403-292-5503
Telecopier (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663