TransCanada

TransCanada is a Canadian corporation that owns pipelines in Canada and the United States.

"With more than 50 years experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, TransCanada has approximately 3,550 employees and is the general partner and a common unit holder of TC PipeLines, LP."

Tar Sands, 2011
In 2011, TransCanada requested permission to build a 1,661 mile pipeline from Canada's tar sands oil fields to U.S. refiners in Texas. The so-called Keystone XL Pipeline would import as much as 510,000 barrels per day. Koch Industries is responsible for close to 25 percent of the oil tar sands crude that is imported into the United States, and are one of the biggest refiners of Alberta oil sands crude oil. Some speculated that Koch Industries would benefit significantly from the project.

The proposed pipeline is highly controversial due to the anticipated environmental harm the project would have and groups in opposition to the pipeline have held large protests to prevent its construction.

Closing Sundance units 1 and 2
In February 2011, TransAlta said it will be closing operations at two of the Sundance coal-fired units because repairs would be too costly. The Sundance 1 and 2 units have been down since December 2010. The units comprise 560 MW of the 2,126 MW Sundance power plant, which operates as a baseload facility for the Alberta electricity system.

The closing of the units could cost consumers more than $200 million in unrealized refunds through Alberta’s Balancing Pool. The agency that oversees power purchase agreements would have to pay that amount to TransAlta as net book value of the plants and to TransCanada as partial payment on the remainder of its contract. TransCanada holds the Sundance units' power purchase agreement and expects reimbursement.

Iroquois Pipeline
TransCanada held the largest ownership share of the Iroquois Gas Transmission System, a natural gas pipeline that brings gas from eastern Canada to the New York City area. Iroquois was constructed over substantial environmental opposition. The construction methods did not comply with Iroquois' proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. As a result a number of supervisors, as well as Iroquois' President were convicted of crimes.

Directors
Accessed September 2009:


 * S. Barry Jackson - Chair
 * Harold N. Kvisle - President and CEO
 * Kevin E. Benson
 * Derek H. Burney
 * Wendy K. Dobson
 * E. Linn Draper
 * Paule Gauthier
 * Kerry L. Hawkins
 * Paul L. Joskow
 * John A. MacNaughton
 * David P. O'Brien
 * W. Thomas Stephens
 * D. Michael G. Stewart

Contact

 * Web: http://www.transcanada.com

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