Joint Review Panel Invites Public Comment on Additional Information for the Proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion Project

OTTAWA, June 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The Joint Review Panel reviewing the proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion project near Fort McMurray, Alberta, announced today the beginning of a comment period on the additional information provided by the proponent, Shell Canada Energy. This comment period provides interested parties an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the Panel on the adequacy of the additional information.

The additional information was provided in response to questions sent to the proponent by the Panel on January 30, 2012.  The questions were issued following the public comment period on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the fall of 2011, the comments submitted by interested parties after their review of the EIS and the proponent's responses to those comments. The EIS details the anticipated effects of the proposed project on the environment.

Aboriginal groups, governments and the public are now invited to review the additional information and provide comments to the Panel.  The Panel must receive all comments on the additional information in writing by August 3, 2012 in order to be considered. All comments received by the Joint Review Panel will be considered public and will be posted on the online public registry.  Forward your written comments in the official language of your choice by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of:

Joint Review Panel Secretariat
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: [phone] / Fax: [phone]
Shell.R[email protected]

The Joint Review Panel was established to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the Application filed by the proponent. Once the Panel is satisfied that the information is adequate, it will announce the details of the public hearing, including the hearing commencement date, the hearing venue, and any prehearing process and will provide a minimum of 60 days notice prior to the start of the hearing.

To obtain information on the panel review process and be kept informed of the Panel's activities, provide an e-mail address to the Panel Secretariat at the above address.

The Environmental Impact Statement, the Application, along with the additional information, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , under reference # 10-05-59540.

About the Project
Shell Canada Energy is proposing to expand the Jackpine Mine project. The expansion would include additional mining areas and associated processing facilities, utilities and infrastructure. The project would be located about 70 km north of Fort McMurray on the east side of the Athabasca River. The expansion project would increase bitumen production by 100,000 barrels per day, bringing production at the mine to 300,000 barrels per day.

About the Joint Review Panel
The Joint Review Panel for the proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion project is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the Chairman of the Energy Resources Conservation Board to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the Application.

Media may contact:

Lucille Jamault , Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
[email protected]
613-957-0434

Bob Curran, Communications
Energy Resources Conservation Board
[email protected]
403-297-3392