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TransCanada alters Québec scope of Energy East Pipeline Project

World Pipelines,


TransCanada Corporation is altering the scope of the Energy East pipeline project in Québec as part of its continued commitment to stakeholder consultation, environmental stewardship and community safety. Part of that altered scope includes the decision not to build a marine and associated tank terminals at Cacouna, Québec. Potential alternative terminal options in Québec are being reviewed. Québec and New Brunswick refineries would continue to be connected directly to Energy East.

Striking a balance

"This decision is the result of the recommended change in status of the Beluga whales to endangered and ongoing discussions we have had with communities and key stakeholders," said Russ Girling, TransCanada's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We have listened and our decision reflects that. Our goal has been to strike a balance between TransCanada's commitment to minimising environmental impacts and the imperative to build modern infrastructure to safely transport the energy Canadians need and consume every day."

One of the key learnings from discussions with stakeholders was related to emergency response plans, which are developed with local agencies along the pipeline route. Typically, these detailed plans are finalised and provided to the National Energy Board (NEB) in the latter part of the regulatory process. The Energy East team has heard how significant these documents are to communities and other stakeholders. In response, the development and submission of these emergency response plans will be brought to the NEB earlier in its process.

"We want Canadians to know that we have and will continue to listen," concluded Girling. "The Energy East pipeline will be designed and operated with a singular focus on safety - that is what Canadians expect and that is what TransCanada will deliver. We all recognise that oil is essential in our daily lives. We need it to operate our vehicles, fuel airplanes, produce smart phones, manufacture heart valves and make the thousands of products we rely on every day. We must ensure the oil is transported safely and reliably and pipelines are the best way to do that."

Projects specifics

Girling highlights Energy East represents the opportunity to establish a reliable supply of primarily Western Canadian crude oil for refineries in Québec and New Brunswick. In addition, the project will support 14 000 direct and indirect full-time jobs across Canada during development and construction, and generate more than CAN$7 billion in additional tax revenues in the first 20 years of operation for local, provincial and federal governments, along with billions of dollars in economic activity across the country.

TransCanada will be advising the NEB that the company will not be proceeding with a marine terminal in Cacouna and is evaluating other options. Any amendments to the applications for Energy East reflecting the outcome of that evaluation are expected to be filed with the NEB in the fourth quarter of 2015. The result of this alteration to the project scope and further refinement of the project schedule is expected to result in an in service date of 2020.

The 1.1 million bpd Energy East project has secured approximately 1 million bpd of firm, long-term contracts. The CAN$12 billion project is an important element of TransCanada's CAN$46 billion of commercially secured growth projects. Over the remainder of the decade, subject to required approvals, this industry-leading portfolio of contracted energy infrastructure projects is expected to generate significant growth in earnings, cash flow and dividends.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/07042015/transcanada-alters-qu%C3%A9bec-scope-of-energy-east-pipeline-project/

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