TransCanada’s wholly owned subsidiary, NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL), is the owner of a natural gas transmission system known as the Alberta System. The Alberta System, previously regulated by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), is a 23,500 kilometre (14,100 miles) pipeline network that gathers natural gas for use both in Alberta and for delivery to provincial border points for export to North American markets. It is one of the largest systems in North America and gathers 66 per cent of the natural gas produced in Western Canada.

TransCanada applied to the National Energy Board (NEB) in June of 2008 to change its Alberta System from provincial to federal jurisdiction. On February 26, 2009, the NEB granted TransCanada’s application recognizing that the Alberta System is under federal jurisdiction.

According to the NEB, the decision was made on the basis that the Alberta System is part of TransCanada’s extensive pipeline system already under federal jurisdiction. This regulatory change, which took effect on April 29, 2009, recognizes the inter-provincial nature of TransCanada’s existing pipelines, and allows NGTL to expand its pipeline network outside Alberta for the first time in over 50 years, subject to regulatory approval.

More information is available for landowners who have questions about the impact of the NEB’s decision.