Spectra Energy's Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project Accepted into Application Review Stage

Provides additional opportunities to collect valued Aboriginal, local and public input

VANCOUVER, May 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE:SE) is pleased to announce that its submission of an Environmental Assessment Certificate Application (Application) for the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project (Project) has been formally accepted for review by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO). This milestone begins an extensive 180-day review process, which includes a 45-day public comment period beginning May 14, 2014 and ending June 27, 2014.

"Our Application summarizes the work that the Westcoast Connector project team has undertaken over three years and hundreds of thousands of hours to study the environmental, economic, social, heritage and health interactions that are of critical concern to Spectra Energy, just as they are to the Aboriginal and local communities along our proposed route," said Doug Bloom, president of Spectra Energy's Canadian LNG business. "It draws on the benefit of our nearly six-decade legacy of working, living and learning from British Columbians going back to the inception of BC's natural gas industry."

While preparing to chart a new path for BC's vast natural gas resources to reach the northwest coast for transport to new markets, Spectra Energy once again brought its long-term view to project design. The Application includes analysis, and reflects consultation, for a natural gas transportation corridor that would allow for up to two pipelines within a single right of way. This approach could help limit the potential environmental and local impacts during construction and operation, and plan for consolidation of future industry growth in a smart, thoughtful way.

"As a company that has worked in British Columbia for more than a generation, we know that pursuing this generational opportunity for a new LNG industry needs to be done thoughtfully, as part of a robust regulatory process, and as part of long-term relationship building effort with the communities that will be our neighbours for the next century," continued Bloom. "We look forward to continuing our Aboriginal and public engagement programs throughout the Application review process and beyond as we work to develop the best possible project."

The proposed Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project is a new natural gas system that will begin in the Cypress area of northeast B.C. and end at BG Group's proposed Prince Rupert LNG export facility, on Ridley Island. The Project is envisioned as a natural gas transportation corridor that can allow for up to two pipelines with total design capacity of 8.4 billion cubic feet per day in a single right of way, creating an opportunity for multiple LNG projects to the Prince Rupert area, with as small a footprint as possible.  Service of the approximately 850-kilometre and up to 4.2 billion cubic feet per day natural gas pipeline, with project partner BG Group, is currently expected to commence around the end of decade, pending final investment decision. For more information on the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project, please visit energyforbc.ca.

Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE: SE), a FORTUNE 500 company, is one of North America's leading pipeline and midstream companies. Based in Houston, Texas, the company's operations in the United States and Canada include more than 22,000 miles of natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil pipelines; approximately 305 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas storage; 4.8 million barrels of crude oil storage; as well as natural gas gathering, processing, and local distribution operations. Spectra Energy is the general partner of Spectra Energy Partners (NYSE: SEP), one of the largest pipeline master limited partnerships in the United States and owner of the natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil assets in Spectra Energy's U.S. portfolio. Spectra Energy also has a 50 percent ownership in DCP Midstream, the largest producer of natural gas liquids and the largest natural gas processor in the United States. Spectra Energy has served North American customers and communities for more than a century. The company's longstanding values are recognized through its inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes and the CDP Global 500 and S&P 500 Climate Disclosure and Performance Leadership Indexes. For more information, visit www.spectraenergy.com and www.spectraenergypartners.com.

SOURCE: Spectra Energy Corp.

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