Ft. St. John, B.C.- The National Energy Board has announced it will be holding a public hearing in August on the application from Nova Gas Transmission (NGTL) to  build and operate 306 kilometers of pipeline  and associated facilities  in north eastern B. C.

The proposed line,  called the “North Montney Mainline”  would have two  sections; Aitken Creek, and Kahta.  The proposal says the  line would  link to the existing Groundbirch mainline which is about 35 km  southwest of Fort St. John and continue about 187 km northwest of Fort St. John.

The North Montney  Mainline would also link to the proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline that would carry natural case to  the proposed  Pacific Northwest LNG Ltd.’s  liquefaction  facilities  at  Lelu Island near Port Edward.

The National Energy Board has identified a number of  issues for discussion including:

• the need for the proposed Project
• the appropriateness of the general route and land requirements,
• its engineering design and integrity,
• potential impacts on Aboriginal interests,
• potential impacts on landowners and land use,
• contingency planning for spills, accidents or malfunctions, during construction and operation of the Project, and

Anyone wishing to participate in the  hearing, must fill out an application to participate. The  deadline for  filing that application is the 19th of March.

The NEB will then  make a decision  on  if  participation will be  permitted and the nature of that participation, whether it shall be as an Intervenor, or as a commenter .

The  public hearing in Fort St. John  is set to start on August 19th,  the exact location has not  yet been  selected.  There will be a "tolls and tariffs" hearing in September in Calgary.