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Pembina: update on pipeline project

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World Pipelines,


Pembina Pipeline Corporation announced that the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench (the Court) has granted an order that stays, on an interim basis, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) from issuing its written hearing decision on the Company's Fox Creek to Namao, Alberta expansion pipeline project.

The interim stay was granted following a last minute application made by the Alexander First Nation (Alexander) for orders requesting an injunction of the AER decision process or preventing the AER from issuing its written hearing decision for the project. The Court did not consider the merits of the Alexander injunction application, but ordered that the application proceed to adjudication expeditiously.

The focus of Alexander's concern appears to be a small portion of the project that would be constructed in proximity to lands owned or controlled by Alexander and lands that it may seek to potentially purchase in the future on the assumption there is a willing seller (Potential Purchase Area). Alexander's arguments in this regard were previously rejected by the AER at the hearing. The AER's statutory mandate is to provide for the efficient, safe, orderly and environmentally responsible development of energy resources in Alberta. Pembina expects that a second consideration of these matters, this time by the Court, will yield a similar result.

Pembina has secured binding rights of way required for the construction of the project in the Potential Purchase Area from all affected landowners. These lands are currently in general farming use and owned privately by individuals who are not members of or otherwise affiliated with Alexander.

Pembina initially submitted its application to the AER on 4 September 2014 for the project. Pembina underwent a rigorous and comprehensive public hearing between October and December of 2015, which allowed all stakeholders to participate. Alexander was one of the stakeholders that participated. As required under its enabling legislation, the AER is required to issue its written hearing decision on the project within 90 days of the close of the hearing. Such 90 day period was set to conclude on 17 March 2016.

Pembina is committed to working with all stakeholders by building trust and operating its business in a safe and responsible manner. As such, Pembina has previously explored numerous routing alternatives and expects to be able to complete the project on time and on budget.

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/17032016/pembina-update-on-pipeline-project/

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