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November 04, 2008

NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD AND CANADA-NOVA SCOTIA OFFSHORE PETROLEUM BOARD AGREE TO PARTNERSHIP

(Calgary) A memorandum of understanding signed today by the National Energy Board (NEB) and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) makes the regulation of pipelines more efficient and effective.

“The National Energy Board and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board have a long and successful history of working together,” said Gaétan Caron, Chair and CEO of the National Energy Board. “This MOU will ensure we are able to continue this partnership in order to help both Boards efficiently implement flexible, goal-oriented regulation, foster innovation and make sound decisions in the public interest,” he said.

The construction, operation, decommissioning, abandonment and removal of offshore pipelines falls under the jurisdiction of both the NEB and CNSOPB. This new agreement reduces regulatory overlap by setting clear criteria for areas where cooperation can occur, such as: data sharing, emergency management, monitoring and enforcement, and staff exchanges.

“This agreement shows the high degree of cooperation that exists between energy regulators in Canada,” said Diana Dalton, Chair of the CNSOPB. “As an organization we are focused on delivering regulatory excellence, and this MOU is an important step toward achieving this goal.”

To read a copy of the MOU, please click here.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates important 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.

The CNSOPB is the independent joint agency of the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia responsible for the regulation of petroleum activities and resources offshore Nova Scotia.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Kiley
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
Tel: 403-299-3633
Fax: 403-292-5503

Tim Church
Senior Advisor
Communications & Government Affairs
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board
Tel: 902-449-2031
Fax: 902-422-1799