Minister Responds to Board Recommendation

Government will take time to study the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board recommendation that Sempra Atlantic Gas Inc. become the natural gas franchisee in the province, said Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate, today.

"I want to thank the members of the Utility and Review Board for their considerable work over the past seven months," said Mr. Balser. "The hearing process has been a thorough, open and independent review of a matter that is so important to the people of Nova Scotia."

The next step in the process is for government to review the board report and make a recommendation to the governor-in-council.

"Government has an obligation to carefully study the recommendations of the board," said the minister. "We have an obligation to ensure that the franchise goes to the company that can ensure a viable, affordable and safe service for the people of the province. This government intends to ensure that Nova Scotians are the main beneficiaries as natural gas arrives in the marketplace."

The Utility and Review Board had the task of conducting an open, independent review of the applications for natural gas delivery in the province. The board began its hearings on April 12, 1999, and heard final testimony in July. During that period, it heard from 68 witnesses and reviewed thousands of pages of written evidence.

The government hopes to announce its decision within a few weeks.