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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

EUB ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS OF INFORMATION AND PRIVACY COMMISSIONER REVIEW OF SECURITY MEASURES
New EUB security policy directs all security personnel to be clearly identifiable

Calgary, Alberta (September 13, 2007) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) is accepting the recommendations in the report of Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner Frank Work into the recent 500 kV hearing held in Red Deer and Rimbey, Alberta. 

“We take these recommendations very seriously and the EUB has already taken steps to ensure that similar situations never happen again,” said EUB Acting Chairman Brad McManus.  “Even before the Commissioner’s investigation was initiated, the EUB had changed its approach towards hiring security.  I assumed direct oversight of security arrangements for hearings.  I also directed that all security personnel working in future hearings be clearly identifiable.  The EUB has also developed a written security policy and will revise it to ensure it complies with the Commissioner’s recommendations.” 

“It is important that Albertans understand that the security measures at Rimbey were taken solely because of serious incidents where our staff were physically attacked and other threats and actions led to an atmosphere of intimidation at the hearing,” added McManus.  “The report clearly indicates that the security arrangements taken at the Court House minimized the potential risk of disruptions to the proceedings and the confrontations between hearing participants and protestors.”

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.

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For more information, please contact:

Davis Sheremata
EUB Communications
Phone: (403) 297-2252
Email: davis.sheremata@eub.ca

NR2007-35