Spectra Energy's Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project Submits Environmental Assessment Certificate Application

Reflects early local input into project design and commitment to British Columbia benefits

VANCOUVER, March 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE: SE) announced the submission of an Environmental ASSESSMENT Certificate Application (Application) for its Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO). The Application includes detailed descriptions of Project elements, summaries of studies conducted to assess baseline environmental, social and economic conditions, and analysis of Project benefits.

"This marks a key milestone for our Project, and a step towards growing new markets for B.C.'s abundant natural gas supplies," said Doug Bloom, president of Spectra Energy's Canadian LNG business. "The Application reflects nearly three years of Aboriginal and local community engagement, and detailed scientific, technical and heritage research and fieldwork."

The Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project team includes men and women with decades of experience designing, building and operating natural gas pipelines throughout British Columbia's challenging terrain, and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for long-term, local benefits. Furthermore, the Application is designed to reflect Spectra Energy's approach to listening and learning, and reflecting feedback into project design and planning. 

"We thank everyone who has openly shared their knowledge, interests and concerns. Gathering this valuable input from the outset and reflecting it in our project design is, for us, a critical element of project development," continued Bloom. "These efforts are not complete. We're ready to keep our sleeves rolled up and plan the best project possible."  

The Project will now enter the 30-day Application screening stage, during which the BC EAO will review the Application and determine that it contains the required information. Upon acceptance, it will enter the Application Review stage, at which point the 8,000-page document will be made public. The Application Review stage will include further opportunities for input from Aboriginal and local communities, federal and provincial agencies, and the interested public.

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 initial, 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, 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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