The National Energy Board (NEB) has scheduled an oral hearing on an application from TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd. (Keystone) to construct and operate the Canadian portion of its proposed Keystone XL pipeline project.

The hearing is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 9 a.m. at a location to be determined.

The proposed project is a crude oil line that would run from Alberta to markets in the Gulf Coast area of the United States (U.S.). The Canadian portion of the Keystone XL pipeline extends from Hardisty, Alberta to the Canada/U.S. border at Monchy, Saskatchewan. The Canadian portion would involve the construction and operation of approximately 525 kilometer (km) of pipeline and related facilities, including pump stations, tanks and other related works and activities. Keystone is proposing to begin construction in mid-2010 and to complete construction by 2012. The pipeline would have an initial capacity of approximately 700,000 barrels per day and is designed to be expandable to 900,000 barrels per day.

The public is invited to participate in this hearing in one of three ways:

	        i. by filing a letter of comment;
	       ii. by making an oral statement; or,
	      iii. by seeking intervenor status.

Government authorities may also seek Government Participant status.

The deadline for intervenor applications is 9 June 2009. The deadline for filing a letter of comment or a letter indicating that you wish to make an oral statement is 30 July 2009. Documents must be filed with the NEB either electronically through our website or by fax or mail. A copy of the letter or application to intervene must also be sent to Keystone and its legal counsels.

Details on how to file a letter of comment can be found on the NEB website at www.neb-one.gc.ca under "Regulatory Documents - Submit" To make an oral statement or become an intervenor, people must first apply to the NEB. Application forms are available under the "Regulatory Documents - Submit" section of the NEB website.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates several parts of Canada's energy industry. Its purpose is to promote safety and security, environmental protection, and efficient energy infrastructure and markets in the Canadian public interest, within the mandate set by Parliament in the regulation of pipelines, energy development and trade.