NEB to hold a Pre-hearing Planning Conference on the Mackenzie Gas Project

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05/27
For immediate release
23 November 2005

NEB to hold a Pre-hearing Planning Conference on the Mackenzie Gas Project

CALGARY - The National Energy Board (NEB) will proceed with the Pre-hearing Planning Conference (Conference) in the Northwest Territories during the weeks of 5 and 12 December 2005. In a letter dated 23 November 2005, Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited (Imperial) informed the NEB that the proponents of the Mackenzie Gas Project were prepared to proceed to public hearing on their applications.

The purpose of the Conference will be to provide information on the NEB hearing process as well as the NEB's role throughout the lifecycle of a pipeline. The NEB would also like to hear views from people on:

• the topics they would like to address at the NEB hearing
• the location they would like to address the topics
• how much time they will need to ask questions on the topics
• any comments they have on the approximate timing of the hearing, preliminary or additional locations or any other matters related to the NEB hearing process.

Persons can participate in the Conference by sending in written comments, speaking with NEB staff or attending one of the following four sessions of the conference:

5 December	Inuvik, Ingamo Hall 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. - Community supper served at 5 p.m.
7 December	Yellowknife, Explorer Hotel 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. or 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
12 December	Fort Good Hope, K'asho Got'ine Council Community Hall 7:00 to10:00 p.m. - Community supper served at 6:00 p.m.
13 December	Fort Simpson, Village Community Hall 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. - Community supper served at 6:00 p.m.

The NEB has prepared, for discussion at the Conference, a list of proposed and potential additional locations and topics for the NEB hearing. The list includes the approximate timing and expected duration of the hearing at each location. In addition, the NEB has issued an amended Hearing Order that provides guidance on the NEB hearing process.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety and security, environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in the Canadian public interest, within the mandate set by Parliament in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade.

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For further information:

Denis Tremblay
Communications Officer
Telephone: 403-299-2717
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

Related documents:

• The National Energy Board proceeds with its pre-hearing planning conference 5, 7, 12 and 13 December 2005 [Filing A10801]
• Amended Hearing Order provides guidance on the NEB hearing process [Filing A10802]
• Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited ready to proceed to hearing [Filing A10798]
• All Regulatory Documents under: Facilities, Gas, Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited (Mackenzie Gas Project) , 2004-10-07 - Application for the Construction and Operation of the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline - GH-1-2004 [Folder 338661]

For further information on the Conference:

Jane Morales (jane.morales@neb-one.gc.ca)
Telephone: 403-299-3933
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

To send written comments before 14 December 2005 on the Conference:

Secretary National Energy Board
444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, AB
T2P 0X8
Télécopieur : 403-292-5503
Télécopieur (sans frais) : 1-877-288-880

For a copy of documents:

National Energy Board
library@neb-one.gc.ca
Ground Floor
444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0X8
Telephone: 403-299-3561
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Telecopier: 403-292-5576
Telecopier (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (teletype): 1-800-632-1663