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News Release

EUB REPORT SHOWS CONTINUED SULPHUR REDUCTIONS AT SOUR GAS PLANTS
Sulphur emissions reduced 32 per cent since 2000

Calgary , Alberta (August 2, 2006) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has issued Statistical Series (ST) 101: Sulphur Recovery and Sulphur Emissions at Alberta Sour Gas Plants (ST 101) , which summarizes sulphur recovery results for sour gas plants across Alberta .

ST-101 provides a progress report on industry’s compliance with the EUB’s Interim Directive (ID) 2001-03: Sulphur Recovery Guidelines for the Province of Alberta (ID 2001-03) , issued August 29, 2001. The guidelines established stringent requirements for sulphur emissions, provided a schedule for existing plants to meet the same sulphur recovery requirements as new plants, and encouraged operators to take early action to improve performance.

The 2006 report shows major improvements due to improved performance and decreased sulphur throughput in plants which did not meet ID 2001-03 requirements for new plants in 2001, also known as grandfathered plants. According to the report, sulphur emissions have decreased from 2000 through 2005 for both grandfathered acid gas flaring plants (down 61%) and grandfathered sulphur recovery plants (down 30%).

Overall, emissions from grandfathered plants have fallen by approximately 37 per cent from 2000 through 2005. This represents a decrease of approximately 70 tonnes of sulphur emissions (140 tonnes of sulphur dioxide emissions) per day in Alberta . Since 2000, twelve plants have made upgrades to meet the new requirements, eight plants have been relicensed, and five plants have ceased operating.

The report also shows emissions declining approximately 17% from 2000 to 2005 for non-grandfathered plants. About 9% of this was due to a reduction in sulphur inlet.

For both non-grandfathered and grandfathered plants total emissions have been reduced 32% since 2000.  About half of this decrease is due to a decline in sulphur inlet and about half due to improved performance.

The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta 's resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.

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This news release, ST 101, and ID 2001-03 are available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca

For more information, please contact:

Darin Barter
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-4116
Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: darin.barter@gov.ab.ca