PDF version

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB CHAIRMAN NEIL McCRANK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Calgary, Alberta (February 21, 2007) Neil McCrank, Chairman of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB), will be retiring on March 31, 2007, after nearly nine years with the EUB, and a total of thirty-four years of public service in Alberta and Ontario.

“I am most proud of how the EUB has become more open to the public we serve,” McCrank said. “The EUB has played a significant role in increasing the public’s awareness of energy and utility issues.  Albertans are more engaged and better informed than they have ever been.”

“I have great respect and admiration for the staff and Board members I have served with at the EUB,” McCrank added. “We are widely regarded as a world-class regulator, and our people are the reason why.”

“I would like to thank Neil for his service to Albertans as Chairman of the Board during this period of unprecedented growth in our energy sector,” said Energy Minister Mel Knight.  “His leadership of the EUB will certainly be missed, and on behalf of my colleagues in government, I wish him all the best in
his retirement.”

EUB Board Member Brad McManus will take on the role of Acting Chairman until McCrank’s replacement has been appointed.  The government will undertake a comprehensive executive search to select a new chairman for the EUB.  Information about recruitment to this position will be posted March 2, 2007 at www.pao.gov.ab.ca/jobs.

McCrank was appointed Chairman of the EUB in 1998.  After coming to Alberta in 1979 to work with the Alberta Attorney General, he served as a Special Prosecutor, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Criminal Justice Division, Deputy Attorney General, and Deputy Minister for the Alberta Department of Justice until his appointment to the EUB.  Prior to his public service career in Alberta, Mr. McCrank worked with the Province of Ontario and spent several years with a private law firm in Toronto.

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

- 30 -

This news release and attached backgrounder are available on the EUB Web site at www.ercb.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Tom Neufeld, EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-8565    
Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: tom.neufeld@eub.ca

NR 2007-06

Backgrounder

BIOGRAPHY

Neil McCrank, Q.C., P.Eng.

Neil McCrank was appointed Chairman of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) in July 1998. The Chairman is responsible for directing and coordinating the EUB’s regulatory mandate governing energy resource development and utility matters in Alberta.

After coming to Alberta in 1979 to work with the Alberta Attorney General, he served as a Special Prosecutor, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Criminal Justice Division, Deputy Attorney General, and Deputy Minister for the Alberta Department of Justice until his appointment to the EUB.

Prior to his public service career in Alberta, Mr. McCrank worked with the Province of Ontario and spent several years with a private law firm in Toronto.

A native of Val d’Or, Quebec, Mr. McCrank received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. In 1969, he graduated with an LL.B. from Queen’s and was admitted to the Bar in 1971. He is a member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian and Calgary Bar Associations, and the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. Mr. McCrank has served on numerous national commissions, steering committees, task forces, and review panels related to emerging legal issues.

Mr. McCrank is an active community volunteer and is currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the World Petroleum Congresses Canadian Association, Chairman of the Canadian Energy Research Institute, member of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy Leadership Board at the University of Calgary, Executive Member of the Van Horne Institute, Board Member of Catholic Charities, and Board Member of the Calgary YMCA.

BIOGRAPHY

Brad McManus, Q.C.

Brad McManus was appointed a Board Member for the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) in February 1995.

Prior to his current position, Mr. McManus was a Member of the Public Utilities Board of Alberta for five years. During this period, as in his current position, he has been a member of numerous Board panels responsible for setting just and reasonable rates for Alberta’s electric and natural gas utilities. In addition, Mr. McManus currently chairs the EUB’s Utility Regulatory Committee.

Since February 1995, Mr. McManus has also sat on a full range of energy-related hearings. As a member of the Alberta Land Compensation Board, he has also dealt with issues related to land expropriation. Mr. McManus practiced corporate and commercial law in Calgary for twelve years before joining the PUB.

Mr. McManus has been active in community affairs, having served on the Boards of the Wild Rose Foundation, the United Way, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, the Calgary First Night Festival, the Lake Louise Ski Club, and his community association.

A native of North Bay, Ontario, Mr. McManus graduated from Carlton University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. He received his Law degree from the
University of Ottawa and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1992.