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News Release September 12, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHEVIOT REVIEW PANEL ISSUES REPORT

Calgary, Alberta (September 12, 2000) The Joint Review Panel of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency today issued its report entitled "Cheviot Coal Project, Mountain Park Area, Alberta (EUB Decision 2000-59)". The Cheviot Coal Project is a surface coal mine proposed by Cardinal River Coals Ltd. for a location approximately 50 km south of Hinton, Alberta (see attached map).

As it did in 1997, the Panel recommended that the Cheviot Coal Project receive regulatory approval from the Government of Canada. The Panel concluded that most of the environmental effects of the Cheviot Coal Project, including cumulative effects, are insignificant. The Panel also made a number of recommendations to the Government of Canada designed to ensure that any adverse effects that might occur are effectively mitigated. In situations where significant adverse environmental effects could not be mitigated, the Panel recommended appropriate compensation or concluded that the impacts could be justified in terms of the project as a whole.

With respect to its provincial mandate, the Panel determined, after considering all of the evidence and views presented at both the 1997 and the 2000 public hearings, that approval of the Cheviot Coal Project continues to be in the public interest. Accordingly, the Panel upheld the previous EUB approvals. These approvals are conditional on commitments made by Cardinal River Coals Ltd. during both hearings being carried out, as well as the conditions stipulated by the Panel in both its 1997 and 2000 decisions being met.

The release of the Panel's report follows the conclusion of the second round of public hearings, held in March and April 2000, for the Project. The original hearings were held in January and February 1997, and the Panel issued its first report in June of 1997. In April 1999, the Federal Court found that the Panel's original report was not in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Court determined that more information should be considered, including information relating to underground mining, other regional mining and forestry activities, and their cumulative environmental effects. In response, the President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency requested the Panel to reconvene and address the issues identified by the Federal Court. At the same time, the EUB determined that a review by the Panel of its original decision was also appropriate, since reopening the hearings could potentially generate significant new evidence.

A "Backgrounder" to this news release summarizes key events and activities of the Cheviot review process. It also identifies the conclusions reached by the Panel in its most recent review.

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This news release, Backgrounder, and the Panel's report (EUB Decision 2000-59) are available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca, and on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's Web site at www.ceaa.gc.ca

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