AGENCY INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE HALIFAX LATERAL PIPELINE PROJECT

Hull, Quebec, August 12, 1999 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is inviting the public to comment on the conclusions, recommendations and any other aspects of the environmental assessment report prepared for the proposed Halifax Lateral Pipeline Project.

The project, proposed by Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd. (M&NP), would involve the construction and operation of a lateral pipeline to transport natural gas from M&NP's main transmission pipeline, near Stellarton, Nova Scotia, to the Tufts Cove generating facility in Halifax. The lateral pipeline would run a distance of approximately 124 kilometres and would bring natural gas to Halifax.

Comments on the environmental assessment report are due by September 11. Interested parties may forward their comments in the official language of their choice to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. All documents received regarding this assessment will be considered public.

In March 1999, the National Energy Board and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the federal authorities responsible for the environmental assessment, ensured the preparation of the environmental assessment report. In accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the report was forwarded to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency for public consultation.

Further information provided by M&NP in April of 1999 led the federal authorities to conclude that the environmental assessment report may be not be complete. As a result, they ensured that a new report was prepared, containing information missing from the original. The new environmental assessment report , along with the original, has been submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, which will now receive public comment.

Environmental assessment is a planning tool used to identify the possible adverse effects of development projects on the environment - the air, water, land and living organisms, including human populations. The environmental assessment report was completed as a comprehensive study. Projects subject to comprehensive study are set out in regulations under the Act. These projects, selected because of their complexity as well as their potential to cause adverse environmental effects, require more in-depth study.

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The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is a federal department reporting to the Minister of the Environment. Its mission is to provide Canadians with high-quality environmental assessments that contribute to informed decision making in support of sustainable development.

For more information:

Ulana Perovic
Director, Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(819) 997-2212

The environmental assessment report is available for viewing at the following locations:

Stellarton Branch of the Pictou Antigonish Regional Library
248 Foord Street, Stellarton, Nova Scotia
(902) 755-6031

Bedford Public Library
15 Dartmouth Road, Bedford, Nova Scotia
(902) 490-5740

Alderney Gate Public Library
60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
(902) 490-5745

Stewiacke Branch Library
295 George Street, Stewiacke, Nova Scotia
(902) 639-2481

Colchester East Hants Regional Library
Highway 2, Elmsdale, Nova Scotia
(902) 883-9838

Colchester East Hants Regional Library
754 Prince Street, Truro, Nova Scotia
(902) 895-4183

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
1791 Barrington Street, Suite 1030, Halifax Nova Scotia
(902) 426-0654

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd.
Suite 1600, 1801 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia
(902) 425-4474

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd.
4 Beaufort Street, Stellarton, Nova Scotia
(902) 755-1945

To address comments:

John McCauley
Project Officer
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
200 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard
Hull, Quebec, K1A 0H3

Telephone: (819) 994-3159
Fax: (819) 997-4931
E-mail: john.mccauley@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To obtain a copy of the report, or to receive further information on the project, contact:

Nancy Cowan
Manager, Regulatory Affairs
Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd.
Telephone: 1-800-223-1716
E-mail: ncowan@mnpp.com

Judith Hanebury
General Counsel
National Energy Board
Telephone: (403) 292-6497

E-mail: jhanebury@neb.gc.ca