Enbridge Gas New Brunswick, Canada, won a 20-year renewablefranchise to develop a gas distribution system for the province ofNew Brunswick. The award was made by the provincial governmentfollowing evaluation of competitive bids submitted earlier thisyear. Enbridge Gas New Brunswick is a joint venture betweenEnbridge Inc., with a 63% interest, and 28 local New Brunswickinvestors.

“Enbridge is very pleased to be able to participate in thedevelopment of New Brunswick’s natural gas industry,” said J.Richard Bird, Enbridge Inc. senior vice president for corporateplanning and development and chairman of Enbridge Gas NewBrunswick. “We have developed a close partnership with the localinvestors, and we share their vision and determination to bring thebenefits of natural gas to as many New Brunswickers as possible.The project is also of strategic importance because it providesEnbridge with a presence in Atlantic Canada, which is becoming animportant new energy region in North America.”

Enbridge Gas New Brunswick anticipates investing about $300million during the 20-year franchise period. Construction isexpected to begin in the spring of 2000 with gas service to thefirst New Brunswick customers planned for late 2000. Communitiesscheduled to receive gas service within the first year includeFredericton, Saint John, St. George, Moncton and Chipman, with atotal of 23 communities to be served within five years.

Enbridge operates, in Canada and the United States the world’slongest crude oil and liquids pipeline system. The company also isinvolved in liquids marketing and international energy projects andhas a growing involvement in the gas midstream and transmissionbusinesses. Enbridge owns and operates Canada’s largest gasdistribution company, which provides gas to more than 1.4 millioncustomers in Ontario, Quebec and New York State.

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