TransCanada CEO Hal Kvisle recently became the first Canadian to chair the Board of Directors of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA). INGAA is a trade organization that serves as an advocate on regulatory and legislative issues for the natural gas pipeline industry in North America.

INGAA represents virtually all of the interstate natural gas transmission pipeline companies operating in the U.S., as well as some companies in Canada and Mexico, including TransCanada. Its members transport over 95 per cent of the U.S.'s natural gas through a network of 290,000 km (180,000 miles) of pipelines.

In a news release issued on October 10, 2003, INGAA said Hal's position as chairman "is representative of the importance of Canada in meeting the natural gas demands of the North American continent."

INGAA's chairman is appointed by its Board of Directors annually from different member companies. Previously, Hal was INGAA's second vice-chairman.

As INGAA chairman, Hal's primary responsibilities will include leading INGAA Board meetings, representing INGAA at U.S. Congressional hearings and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hearings, speaking to state public utility commissioners on behalf of gas pipelines and leading an annual media briefing to outline INGAA's activities for the coming year.

For further information on INGAA and their role in the natural gas pipeline industry, please visit their web site.