The Canada National Energy Board will hold a public hearing in response to opposition concerning portions of the proposed detailed route of the NB Power International Power Line. The objections were filed by eight landowners on the power line route from Lepreau to St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

The public hearing will commence at 9 am Monday, May 9, 2005, at the St. Stephen Legion. The issues to be discussed at the hearing are limited to (i) the best possible detailed route of the international power line and (ii) the most appropriate methods and timing of construction. The board will not reconsider the issues that were addressed during the original certificate hearing, such as the need for the international power line.

In addition to the landowners who have already filed their written statement of opposition to the detailed route of the power line, other persons may be permitted to participate in the hearing at the board's discretion. Written requests to participate as an Intervenor should be sent to the Secretary of the Board no later than noon, Calgary time, Wednesday, March 30, 2005.

The Board issued a certificate to NB Power in the fall of 2003 approving the construction and operation of the 95.5 km, 345 kV international power line from the existing transmission terminal at the Point Lepreau Generating Station to a point on the Maine-New Brunswick border west of St. Stephen, NB. A public hearing was held in Saint John, NB in March 2003.

NB Power subsequently applied to the board for approval of plans showing the proposed detailed route of the power line. The company sent notices to owners of lands proposed to be acquired and published notices in newspapers in the vicinity of the proposed detailed route. Landowners had 30 days in which to file an objection with the board.