CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2012) - Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB) welcomed the publication today of Transport Canada's TERMPOL Review Process Report of the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline Project's proposed marine operations. Transport Canada has filed the results of the study with the federal Joint Review Panel tasked with assessing the project. The study reviewed the marine operations associated with the Northern Gateway terminal and associated tanker traffic in Canadian waters.

The review concluded that: "While there will always be residual risk in any project, after reviewing the proponent's studies and taking into account the proponent's commitments, no regulatory concerns have been identified for the vessels, vessel operations, the proposed routes, navigability, other waterway users and the marine terminal operations associated with vessels supporting the Northern Gateway Project."

It also made the following points:

  • "The review has not identified any regulatory issues or gaps or the need to consider any new regulatory requirements at this time."
  • "The existing international and Canadian marine laws and regulations, complemented by the enhanced safety measures the proponent is committed to implementing and monitoring will provide for safer shipping in support of the Northern Gateway project."
  • "The proposed shipping routes are appropriate for the oil tankers that will be used at the proposed terminal."
  • "For the Northern Gateway Project, the proponent is proposing to implement safety measures that exceed national and international regulatory frameworks for vessel safety and operations."
  • "Since 2009, the proponent has completed 16 studies and submitted close to 3,500 pages of surveys, studies, technical data, analysis and other information related to the marine transportation components of the Northern Gateway Project."

Janet Holder, Enbridge's Executive Vice-President of Western Access and the senior executive with responsibility for Northern Gateway, welcomed the TERMPOL report as "a very positive step forward in the public review of the project."

"It is important for the public, particularly BC residents, to know that we've done our homework and that our marine plan has been thoroughly reviewed. I think the TERMPOL report underlines that what we are proposing is well planned and safe - and indeed would enhance safety for all shipping on BC's north coast."

The TERMPOL report was prepared and approved by the following Canadian government authorities: 

  • Transport Canada
  • Environment Canada
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Canadian Coast Guard
  • Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada

The TERMPOL report is one stage in the review of the Northern Gateway project. Further review of the Northern Gateway application by the Joint Review Panel, as well as other agencies, is ongoing.

About Enbridge Inc.

Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, is a North American leader in delivering energy and one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a generator of energy, Enbridge has interests in close to 1,000 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy generating capacity and is expanding its interests in wind and solar energy, geothermal and hybrid fuel cells. Enbridge employs approximately 6,900 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada's Greenest Employers, and one of the Top 100 Companies to Work for in Canada. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.

Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Enbridge believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties pertaining to operating performance, regulatory parameters, weather, economic conditions and commodity prices. You can find a discussion of those risks and uncertainties in our Canadian securities filings and American SEC filings. While Enbridge makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Enbridge assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.