Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Announces Agreements With Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche First Nations

PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 1, 2015) - TransCanada (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) (TransCanada) today announced that its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Ltd. (PRGT) project has entered into project agreements with the Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Yekooche First Nation of northern B.C. The project agreements provide each First Nation with financial and other benefits related to the pipeline projects. Specifically, the project agreements provide annual legacy payments for the duration of the commercial operation of the pipelines, plus immediate benefits on signing, and at other key project milestones.

Pipeline project agreements are part of a comprehensive approach to working with First Nations on liquefied natural gas (LNG) opportunities, including developing skills training, employment and involving First Nations in developing business opportunities.

"Reaching agreement with the Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche First Nations has required a significant investment by all parties in building a meaningful relationship," said Dean Patry, president, PRGT. "We are proud of the rapid progress we are making in securing formal support from First Nations along the PRGT route. These agreements reflect our commitment to engage with First Nation communities in a significant and respectful way and to provide fair and meaningful benefits during construction and through the operational life of the project. Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche have played important roles in helping us refine the PRGT project in their traditional and treaty territories. They will continue to be key partners as we advance toward construction and operation of these pipelines."

Doig River First Nation Chief Norman Davis was pleased with the extensive level of engagement and negotiation with PRGT throughout the process. "They worked to ensure the environment and our traditional way of life will be adequately protected," said Chief Davis. "This project will provide significant financial and contracting benefits to our Nation and we look forward to doing our part in the construction of this project."

Halfway River First Nation Chief Darlene Hunter was pleased with the efforts of all parties to come to an agreement. "We have worked very hard with PRGT to arrive at arrangements that work for all parties and will help to ensure our shared future success," said Chief Hunter. "This project agreement will help ensure that our concerns for our land and the environment are adequately addressed, and that environmental considerations are balanced with the benefits our Nation will receive through this project."

Yekooche First Nation Chief Allen Joseph expressed support for the project. "Our work with PRGT over the last two years has focused on protecting the environment, our way of life and on the benefits the project would bring to our community. I'm pleased to say that we express every confidence in PRGT's ability to build the pipeline in an environmentally responsible way while ensuring significant financial benefits to us."

The Doig River, Halfway River and Yekooche agreements join previously-announced PRGT agreements with Lake Babine Nation, Nisga'a Lisims Government, Gitanyow First Nation and Kitselas First Nation.

PRGT is proposing to design, build, own and operate a 900 kilometre natural gas pipeline to deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert. Project details can be found at www.princerupertgas.com.

With more than 60 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and oil pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates a network of natural gas pipelines that extends more than 68,000 kilometres (42,100 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is one of the continent's largest providers of gas storage and related services with more than 368 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns or has interests in over 10,900 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is developing one of North America's largest oil delivery systems. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. For more information visit: www.transcanada.com or check us out on Twitter @TransCanada or http://blog.transcanada.com.