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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB REJECTS BEARSPAW CLAIMS OF BIAS; UPHOLDS ALL BUT ONE FIELD SURVEILLANCE ENFORCEMENT ACTION

Calgary, Alberta (November 7, 2007) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has issued Decision 2007-090, which examines claims by Bearspaw Petroleum Ltd. that the EUB’s Red Deer Field Centre was biased against the company and unfairly imposed inspections and enforcement actions on its facilities. The company also appealed three enforcement actions imposed by the EUB and asked the Board to consider the EUB’s handling of two other incidents.

Acting EUB Board Member Robert C. Clark was appointed to investigate and report on these issues between Bearspaw and the EUB’s Field Surveillance Group. Mr. Clark was Alberta’s first Ethics Commissioner and first Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Evidence and argument on the matter were heard in Calgary in an EUB-initiated proceeding over five hearing days in September and October 2007.

After reviewing the evidence, Mr. Clark determined that there was no bias against Bearspaw by the Red Deer Field Centre, no lack of administrative fairness in the EUB’s enforcement process, and no lack of technical competence in the EUB’s staff in these matters.

Four of the five enforcement actions were upheld. The decision recommends rescinding one enforcement action as further information had subsequently come to light and other evidence about the incident in question was inconclusive.

Mr. Clark also recommended that Bearspaw become better informed about the EUB’s inspection and enforcement processes, and that the EUB consider measures to enhance the fairness and transparency of its processes.

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 is available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Bob Curran
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-3392
Email: bob.curran@eub.ca

NR 2007-45