The hearing is scheduled to start on April 8, 2008, at a location to be determined.

Keystone is applying for a variance to the NEB approval of the Keystone Pipeline Project which was released on Sept. 20, 2007, and for additional new facilities. The proposed Cushing Expansion would increase nominal capacity of the pipeline from 69,200 cubic meters per day (m(3)/d) or 435,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 94,000 m(3)/d (591,000 bpd).

Keystone is requesting the approval of an increase in motor sizes of 20 pumping units at seven stations that were previously approved by the NEB. The pumping units would be increased from 3,000 kilowatts (kW) to 3,700 kW. The Cushing Expansion would also include seven new pump stations located in the following communities in Saskatchewan: Liebenthal, Stewart Valley, Chaplin, Belle Plaine and Whitewood; and in Manitoba at Crandall and Wellwood. The application is also asking for the addition of pumping units at 13 of the previously approved pumping stations and approval of the proposed toll methodology.

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

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

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

The deadline for intervenor applications is 12 p.m. Mountain Savings Time (MST) on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. The deadline for letters of comment and oral statement applications is 12 p.m. MST on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Documents must be filed with the NEB either electronically through our website or by fax or mail. A copy of the letter or application must also be sent to Keystone and its legal counsel.

The NEB is an independent federal agency that regulates 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.