News Release January 8, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB launches Appropriate Dispute Resolution Program

Calgary, Alberta (January 8, 2001) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board today issued Informational Letter (IL) 2001-1: Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program and Guidelines for Energy Industry Disputes, which outlines the principles supporting its new ADR program for Alberta's energy sector and provides guidelines for using the program.

A unique and innovative feature of the EUB's ADR program is the opportunity it gives to parties in dispute to attend a "Preliminary ADR Meeting" to explore whether ADR options, such as mediation, would be appropriate to their situation. Other features include increased facilitation activities on the part of trained EUB staff, the provision of a roster of service providers and mediators, and the development of an evaluation system to monitor the program over the next three years and to foster ongoing learning.

Membership in a multiparty stakeholder committee formed in the summer of 1999 to guide the research and development of the program formally launched today had broad representation to ensure that all interests were considered.

Thanks to stakeholder input, the parameters of the ADR program were expanded from those initially envisioned. With the input of their respective associations, members of the committee also successfully addressed key issues in the design of the program such as who pays the cost of using ADR, whether using ADR would slow down the process of approving applications, and whether the program would be voluntary or mandatory.

"By involving people who are affected by energy development in the design of this ADR program, we are confident that the 'made-in-Alberta' program we have come up with will encourage parties in dispute to give ADR a try," says Bill Remmer, the EUB's ADR coordinator.

In offering "appropriate dispute resolution" options to parties in dispute, the EUB hopes to provide a better range of options to resolve disputes and a more effective process, resulting in improved landowner-industry relations in the interest of all Albertans. By encouraging more face-to-face discussions between affected landowners and company decision-makers, ADR approaches lead to local solutions to local problems.

A two-hour orientation session will be held on the new program beginning at 10 a.m. on January 19, 2001, in Govier Hall at the EUB's Calgary offices, 640 5 Avenue SW. Call Marilyn at 297-4601 to preregister. There is no charge for the sessions, but you must be registered.

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Copies of this news release and the new IL 2001-1 Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program and Guidelines for Energy Industry Disputes are available on the EUB Web site at www.ercb.ca. For more information, please call the ADR message centre at (403) 297-3700.

For more information, media please call:

Bill Remmer, ADR Coordinator, (403) 297-8174

Bob Curran, EUB Communications, (403) 297-3392

Mika Madunicky, EUB Communications, (403) 297-8172

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NR 2001-01