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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB RECEIVES EVALUATION REPORT FROM THE PROVINCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOUR GAS

Calgary, Alberta (July 11, 2003) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has received a report from the Provincial Advisory Committee on Public Safety and Sour Gas which reviews and comments on the EUBs progress over the past year to address 87 recommendations made to the EUB by the Committee. These recommendations were designed to improve the regulatory system for sour gas as it relates to public health and safety in Alberta, and were presented to the EUB in December 2000.

Entitled Evaluation of EUBs Implementation Progress to April 2003, the report notes that commendable progress to address the recommendations has been made and that at the end of the second year of implementation many improvements in the sour gas arena have already been realized.

EUB Chairman Neil McCrank said: On behalf of the EUB, I am very pleased that the Committee has once again provided us with such a positive and comprehensive assessment. Addressing all 87 recommendations remains a top priority and the EUB appreciates the continued involvement and scrutiny of the Committee.

The EUB has an extensive implementation process in place, and reports on its progress to the Committee and to the public on a regular basis. In consultation with affected stakeholders, the EUB has completed work on 18 recommendations and is continuing work on 52 more that were previously started. Work will begin this year to address 17 remaining recommendations.

McCrank further stated: We are not only listening to the concerns expressed by Albertans regarding sour gas developments, but we are responding to those concerns through changes in the way we conduct our business and how we expect industry to conduct its business.

Sour gas is natural gas that, in its raw form, contains hydrogen sulphide, which can be toxic to humans and animals. About 30 percent of the raw natural gas produced in Alberta each year is sour. The EUBs mandate is to ensure that the discovery, development and delivery of Albertas resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the public interest.

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This news release is also available on the EUB Web site at www.ercb.ca

For further information please contact:

Marilyn Craig, Public Safety Implementation Team Leader, Tel: (403) 297-3194
Gary Neilson, Senior Advisor, Public Safety Implementation Team, Tel: (403) 297-8552
Greg Gilbertson, Section Leader, EUB Communications, Tel: (403) 297-3648

NR 2003-31