The Alliance Pipeline project crossed one of its last remainingregulatory hurdles on Friday when Canada’s National Energy Boardconcluded it is not likely to cause significant adverseenvironmental effects provided 41 environmental recommendations areimplemented.

The long-awaited NEB report on the C$4-billion, 3,000 kmpipeline, followed a marathon 77-day public hearing. It wassubmitted to the Canadian Environment Minister and the CanadianEnvironmental Assessment Agency, which is now scheduled to kick offa 30-day public comment process after which the environmentminister will issue recommendations.

Construction of the U.S. portion of the pipeline was given thegreen light two weeks by FERC. The producer-supported pipeline,which would carry 1.3 Bcf/d of gas to Chicago from northeasternBritish Columbia, could be completed by the fourth quarter of 2000if approvals are granted within the next few months, Alliance said.

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