News Release April 20, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB ACTION ON LUDWIG INQUIRY REQUEST

Calgary (April 20, 2000) On October 21, 1998, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) received a request from lawyers representing the Ludwig, Boonstra, Wraight, Brysgorni, Johnstone, and Schilthuis families and Dr. W.O. Scott to hold an inquiry under Section 22 of the Energy Resources Conservation Act. The request expressed health and environmental complaints about oil and gas operations in the Hythe area and alleged community frustration about intentional damage to petroleum facilities.

In a news release dated March 8, 1999, the Board said that it would defer ongoing work on the request pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against Weibo Ludwig and Richard Boonstra. With the April 19th verdict, the Board has decided to delay its ruling until sentencing is complete on April 26, 2000.

At that time, the Board will announce the timing of a news conference to outline its course of action regarding the inquiry request.

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This news release is available on the EUB web site at http://www.ercb.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Simone Marler
EUB Communications Leader
Tel: 403 297-8552
Fax 403-297-3757
E-mail: simone.marler@eub.gov.ab.ca