Notice

NOTICE FOR OBJECTIONS APPLICATION NO. 1383410 SUMMER VILLAGE OF CRYSTAL SPRINGS APPLICATION NO. 1383431 ALTAGAS UTILITIES INC.

Take Notice that the Energy and Utilities Board (the EUB) may continue to process these applications without further notice if no valid objections are received on or before March 7, 2005.

Nature of the Applications An application has been filed with the EUB by the Summer Village of Crystal Springs (the Summer Village) for approval to renew its natural gas distribution franchise agreement (the Agreement) with AltaGas Utilities Inc. (AltaGas). The Agreement gives AltaGas the exclusive right to deliver natural gas to the residents of the Summer Village for 10 years.

The Agreement has been based on a standard natural gas franchise agreement negotiated by the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association for use by all municipalities in the province. The standard natural gas franchise agreement has been reviewed by the EUB.

The terms of the Agreement have changed substantially from previously approved franchise agreements. Some of the noteworthy changes include a change in responsibility for utility relocation costs caused by municipal purposes, provision of extra services, options for purchase of the distribution system by the municipality, and provisions respecting third party use of the distribution system.

This Agreement requires AltaGas, for the first time, to pay the Summer Village a franchise fee for use of municipal rights of way. Previously AltaGas was only required to pay the Summer Village a linear tax payment assessed against AltaGas’s property located within the Summer Village. Linear taxes and franchise fees are recovered through customer rates. Franchise fees are recovered as a separate utility charge on customer billings within the Summer Village of Crystal Springs.

The proposed franchise fee would initially be set at 0 per cent of AltaGas’s non-gas components of customer bills. However, the Agreement allows the Summer Village to increase the level of the franchise fee at its own discretion on an annual basis, without any further review by the EUB. The Agreement does not allow the Summer Village to impose a franchise fee above 35 per cent. Therefore, if the Summer Village implemented the maximum franchise fee at current rates for distribution, the fee would add approximately $10.00 to the monthly billing of an average residential customer in the Summer Village. An average residential customer uses about 135 GJ annually. Customers should contact AltaGas if they would like more specific details regarding how this change will affect their bill.

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AltaGas has applied to the EUB for approval to revise its rates so that the franchise fee and linear tax costs can be recovered from customers within the Summer Village.

Additional Information To obtain additional information or a copy of the applications, contact:

The Summer Village of Crystal Springs 256 Grandview RR1 Westerose, Alberta T0C 2V0 Attention: Bev Schneider, Administrator Telephone: (780) 586-3522, Fax: (780) 586-2037

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AltaGas Utilities Inc. 5509 - 45 Street Leduc, Alberta T9E 6T6 Attention: Ms. Karen Raitz, Supervisor Franchise Services Telephone: (780) 980-7301, fax: (780) 986-5220

For information about EUB procedures, contact Silvia Danchuk of the Utilities Branch at the number listed below.

The applications are available on IAR Query through the Applications link on the EUB website at www.eub.gov.ab.ca click on the applications link, then click on IAR Query and enter application number 1383410 or 1383431.

To File a Submission If you have a valid interest and want to make a submission, intervention or objection, please state in writing your reasons for objection to the applications. Send one copy of your objection to the Summer Village at the address above, and a copy to [email protected] referencing application 1383410 and 1383431. If you do not have access to email you can send your objection to:

Silvia Danchuk, Utilities Branch Alberta Energy and Utilities Board 10th Floor, 10055 - 106 Street , Alberta T5J 2Y2 Telephone (780) 427-9370, Fax: (780) 427-6970, Email: [email protected]

Issued at , Alberta, on February 10, 2005.

ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD Douglas A. Larder, General Counsel