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For this proposed Keystone Oil Pipeline Project to move forward, community meetings need to take place as well approval needs to be provided for the construction of the oil pipeline and the transfer from gas transmission to crude oil transportation.
Relationships Along the Route
TransCanada met with more than 923 public officials and community leaders to discuss proposed project plans and listen to their feedback. Almost 4,000 guests were welcomed at our 47 community open houses in Canada and the U.S. since October 2005.
Addressing stakeholder needs along a 3,000-kilometre (1,850-mile) pipeline that extends through three provinces and seven states is an ambitious undertaking. Through meaningful dialogues and detailed research that included everything from community meetings to focus groups and online surveys, TransCanada identified the issues that mattered to local people.
"In every situation, our main goal was to establish and maintain good relations with the approximately 5,400 landowners who might be affected by the pipeline," says Nicole Aitken, Stakeholder Relations Manager, Keystone. "They, in turn, were very helpful in providing us with insights about the local communities that are extremely valuable in planning and advancing the Keystone Pipeline Project."
For further information on the Keystone Oil Pipeline project, please refer to the project website or contact Robert Jones at 403.920.2033.
The U.S. Application
Earlier this year, TransCanada filed with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) an application for a Presidential Permit authorizing the construction, operation and maintenance of the cross-border facilities associated with the proposed Keystone Oil Pipeline. The DOS will also act as the lead agency under the National Environment Policy Act in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. Keystone will also require approvals from a variety of U.S. agencies at the state and local levels.
The NEB Application
A unique component of Keystone's proposal is to convert approximately 860 kilometres (530 miles) of pipe on the Mainline System from gas transmission to crude oil transportation (the "Facilities"). TransCanada and Keystone have entered into an agreement that governs this transfer on May 1, 2008 at a price that reflects their net book value (NBV).
In the transfer application, TransCanada and Keystone apply to the NEB for the following:
- TransCanada applies to sell the Facilities to Keystone
- Keystone applies to purchase the Facilities from TransCanada
- TransCanada applies to reduce the Mainline rate base by the NBV of the Facilities
- Keystone applies to include the Facilities in the Keystone Oil Plant in Service at NBV
The transfer application is the first of two major regulatory applications required to obtain approvals necessary to construct the Canadian portion of the Keystone Oil Pipeline. A public hearing date for the transfer application is set by the NEB for October 23, 2006. Keystone will also apply to the NEB for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct the required new facilities later this year once environmental assessment and community relations work are completed in the summer of 2006.
For further information on the application, please contact Heather Poole at 403.920.5570 or Dean Ferguson at 403.920.5553.
Meeting Growing Demand for Oil Capacity with Minimal Impact to Mainline Customers
TransCanada's position is that the transfer is in the public interest, based on the need for oil pipeline capacity, the virtual certainty that Mainline Firm Transportation (FT) contract services will not be affected, and the high probability that interruptible services will not be impacted.
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