Gas distributors reach agreement with TransCanada to ensure access to diverse, affordable natural gas supplies at Dawn Hub and Niagara

Supply diversity and toll certainty will help keep Ontario and Quebec's energy costs low

CHATHAM, ON, TORONTO and MONTREAL, Sept. 13, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Union Gas Limited ("Union Gas"), Gaz Métro Limited Partnership ("Gaz Métro") and Enbridge Gas Distribution ("Enbridge Gas") announced today an agreement with TransCanada PipeLines ("TransCanada") to ensure access to diverse and affordable natural gas supplies.

The agreement includes a revised framework for TransCanada's mainline tolls and the proposed Kings North project. The revised project, when combined with Segment A of Enbridge Gas' proposed GTA Project, will provide a new natural gas transportation path through the constrained Parkway to the Maple transportation corridor near Toronto, Ontario, giving consumers in eastern Ontario, Quebec and markets further east, secure access to diverse and affordable supplies of natural gas. This gas will be distributed from the Union Gas Dawn Market Hub in south western Ontario and through Niagara. Details of the agreement will be developed in the coming weeks.

"On behalf of the three local distribution companies, we are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle with TransCanada that will give consumers access to affordable and diverse gas supplies and long-term certainty on transportation tolls," said Sophie Brochu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gaz Métro. "Access to affordable energy helps businesses be competitive, supports local economic growth and keeps costs low for families and businesses in Ontario and Quebec."

While this agreement will increase consumers' access to affordable energy, Union Gas, Gaz Métro and Enbridge Gas are continuing discussions with TransCanada regarding the proposed Energy East Project which would convert a portion of TransCanada's Mainline system from natural gas to oil.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with over 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas' storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America.  The Dawn Hub offers customers an important link in the movement of natural gas from Western Canadian and U.S. supply basins to markets in central Canada and the northeast U.S. Union Gas, one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2011, 2012 and 2013, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Enbridge Gas delivers safe, reliable natural gas in more than 100 communities across Ontario and is a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2013 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2013 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas and its affiliates distribute natural gas to more than two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com.

About Gaz Métro
With more than $5 billion in assets, Gaz Métro is a leading energy provider. It is the largest natural gas distribution company in Quebec, where its 10,000 km underground network of pipelines serves 300 municipalities and more than 185,000 customers. Gaz Métro is also present in Vermont, producing electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas to cater to the needs to some 300,000 customers. Gaz Métro is actively involved in the development of innovative, sustainability-oriented energy projects such as the production of wind power, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and the development of biomethane as a renewable energy source. Gaz Métro is committed to ensuring the satisfaction of its customers, providing support to businesses, local organizations, families and communities, and meeting the needs of its partners (Gaz Métro inc. and Valener) and employees. www.gazmetro.com

SOURCE: GAZ METRO

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Union Gas
Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Union Gas Limited
Phone: [phone] or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5490
Cell: 519-365-1010
[email protected]

Enbridge Gas Distribution
Chris Meyer
Manager, Media Relations
Phone: [phone]
[email protected]

Gaz Métro
Marie-Christine Demers
Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and Communications
Tél. [phone] 
Cell: 514-212-7336
[email protected]