CALGARY, ALBERTA and HOUSTON, TEXAS--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) - Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) (TSX:ENB) (Enbridge) and Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:EEP) (the Partnership) today announced the successful launch of an online portal to offer free, customized pipeline emergency training to first responder organizations located along Enbridge's and the Partnership's more than 50,000 miles of onshore pipelines comprising several pipeline systems in the United States and Canada.
The program material is based on Pipeline Emergencies, an industry-leading pipeline emergency response training program developed by the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM). The NASFM materials were adapted to provide information specific to pipelines operated by Enbridge and the Partnership.
"While our overarching goal continues to be zero incidents, Enbridge believes that, as prudent pipeline operators and responsible neighbors, we must take the extra step to reach out to emergency response organizations located near our North American pipelines to offer specific information about the products we transport and the most effective tactics for responding to a pipeline emergency," said Steve Wuori, President, Enbridge Liquids Pipelines.
The online training program features 3-D, interactive graphics to help first responders better visualize response to pipeline incidents. Content includes the basics of natural gas and crude oil pipeline operations, how to safely handle products transported by pipelines, including those operated by Enbridge, pipeline emergency response tactics and pipeline emergency scenarios.
"The real value of the Enbridge online pipeline emergency training, which is provided at no cost to emergency responders, is that it provides relevant, accurate information about all pipelines as well as specific information about the products transported in Enbridge's natural gas, crude oil and gas liquids pipelines," added Mark Maki, President, Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Since December 2012, more than 8,000 emergency response agencies in the United States and Canada have been provided with access to the online program. Additionally, in 2013, Enbridge will roll-out an in-person outreach component of the program targeting 911 dispatch centers covering the areas in which we operate and fire departments in close proximity to our pipelines and facilities. As of April 19, 2013, 438 emergency responders, Enbridge employees, and other interested parties have registered to access the online training; 186 have completed the training.
"The National Association of State Fire Marshals is pleased to work with Enbridge and the pipeline industry to provide responders with the knowledge they need to be safe when responding to a pipeline incident," said Philip Oakes, National Program Director/Trainer for the National Association of State Fire Marshals. "Thanks to Enbridge's commitment to safety and the use of the best-in-class Pipeline Emergencies curriculum, responders have the information and training needed to be prepared for such an event."
Information on accessing the training program can be obtained by sending an email to USpublicawareness@enbridge.com or Cdnpublicawareness@enbridge.com . More information about Enbridge's outreach to emergency responders can be found at: enbridge.com/ERinfo or enbridgeus.com/ERinfo.
About Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc. is a North American leader in delivering energy and has been included on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World ranking for the past five years. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream businesses, and an increasing involvement in power transmission. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a generator of energy, Enbridge has interests in close to 1,600 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy generating capacity and is expanding its interests in wind, solar and geothermal energy. Enbridge employs more than 10,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S. and is ranked as one of Canada's Greenest Employers and one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2013. Enbridge is included on the 2012/2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com .
About Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. ( www.enbridgepartners.com ) owns and operates a diversified portfolio of crude oil and natural gas transportation systems in the United States. Its principal crude oil system is the largest transporter of growing oil production from western Canada. The system's deliveries to refining centers and connected carriers in the United States account for approximately 15 percent of total U.S. oil imports, while deliveries to Ontario, Canada satisfy approximately 70 percent of refinery demand in that region. The Partnership's natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transmission assets, which are principally located onshore in the active U.S. Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast areas, deliver approximately 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. Enbridge Partners is recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America.
Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C. ( www.enbridgemanagement.com ) manages the business and affairs of the Partnership, and its sole asset is an approximate 16 percent interest in the Partnership. Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, (NYSE:ENB) (TSX:ENB) ( www.enbridge.com ), is the general partner of the Partnership and holds an approximate 21 percent interest in the Partnership.
