EUB Cancels Proceeding and Closes Applications on 500 kV Transmission Line

The following information has been posted to the Government of Alberta website.



News Release

September 30, 2007

EUB Cancels Proceeding and Closes Applications on 500 kV Transmission Line

Calgary... The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has decided to cancel the proceeding and close the applications to construct and operate a 500 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line from Edmonton to Calgary. The EUB also intends to set aside Decision 2005-031, which approved the need for that transmission line, as well as related Decision 2006-114. The hearing on the proposal to construct and operate the transmission line ran from March 12 to August 24, 2007 in Red Deer and Rimbey, and the hearing on the need for the transmission line was held from December 9 to 21, 2004 in Calgary.

“This EUB decision is the equivalent of granting a mistrial,” said EUB Chairman Dr. William Tilleman. “Albertans must be confident that this Board acts fairly, responsibly and in the public interest. Mistakes have been made on this file, and I believe the only way to re-establish public confidence is to go back to square one on this process.”

When new applications are filed, a public hearing will be held and a new independent panel will be responsible for considering the matter. “A new hearing is an opportunity to determine if a transmission line is needed and in the public interest,” stated Tilleman.

Security requirements for any future hearing will be determined by the Alberta Solicitor General.

Last week, Tilleman disbanded the EUB Security Unit, reorganized the EUB’s leadership team, and changed the EUB’s security protocols. All future EUB hearings and proceedings will begin with the presiding EUB official introducing all EUB staff at the event. Public Notices for all EUB proceedings will now state that all material relating to the proceeding is subject to Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation.

The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources and utility services take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.

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This news release and related documents are available at www.eub.ca. Media enquiries may be directed to:

Darin Barter
EUB Communications
Phone: (403) 681-0946
Email: [email protected]
Tom Neufeld
EUB Communications
Phone: (403) 297-8565
Email: [email protected]

NR 2007-38