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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ERCB ANNOUNCES FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO DIRECTIVE 71

Calgary, Alberta (July 09, 2008) The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has announced further changes to Directive 071 Emergency Preparedness and Response Requirements for the Petroleum Industry. These changes continue to enhance Alberta’s stringent emergency preparedness and response requirements for upstream oil and gas facilities, and enhance the province’s already high standards to ensure the protection of public safety.

The updated directive is the result of feedback from stakeholders, including first responders, the public, Alberta Health and Wellness and Regional Health Authorities, Municipal Affairs, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and the petroleum industry. Changes include:

• The emergency response plan application process now requires a pre-approval procedure and post-approval audits.
• More stringent requirements for companies to provide information regarding public protection measures to people living within Emergency Planning Zones.
• A revised version of ERCBH2S, the tool used to calculate emergency planning zones.
• Companies must ensure that their 24-hour phone numbers are posted at energy facility locations.

Directive 071 is based upon three core principles. The ERCB ensures that:

1. appropriate emergency response plans (ERPs) are in place to respond to incidents that present significant hazards to the public and the environment.
2. there is an effective level of preparedness to implement ERPs.
3. there is the capability in terms of trained personnel and equipment to carry out an effective emergency response to incidents.

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This news release and Directive 071 are available on the ERCB website at www.ercb.ca.

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

NR 2008-17