CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/18/13 -- TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) (TransCanada) and key supporters of the Keystone XL Pipeline will hold a press conference for news media to reiterate the facts that the pipeline remains vital to the national interest of the United States, increasing energy security, advancing energy independence, creating jobs and fuelling economic recovery. Joining TransCanada are representatives from the National Association of Manufacturers, Helmets2Hardhats, the United Association, API, the US Chamber of Commerce and Michels - the primary contractor responsible for the current construction of the Gulf Coast Project.

Approval of Keystone XL hinges on one fundamental fact: does the U.S. want its oil from a friendly neighbor in Canada and domestic sources like the Bakken play, or does it want to continue to import higher-priced foreign oil from nations that do not support U.S. values.

What:    Press Conference to discuss energy security and economic benefits  
         of KXL                                                             
                                                                            
When:    Tuesday, February 19, 11:00 a.m.                                   
                                                                            
Where:   National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)                        
         733 10th Street NW, Suite 700                                      
         Washington, DC 20001                                               
                                                                            
Who:                                                                        
         - National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay      
         Timmons                                                            
         - Training Specialist, Veterans in Piping (VIP), Michael (Mike)    
         Hazard, Retired U.S. Navy, Petty Officer First Class               
         - Billy Rogers, Assistant Superintendent on Spread 2 (manages the  
         work of project welders)                                           
         - API Executive Vice President Marty Durbin                        
         - U.S. Chamber of Commerce Matthew Koch, Vice President, Institute 
         for 21st Century Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce                  
         - TransCanada President of Oil Pipelines and Energy Alex Pourbaix  

This event is for media only. Valid media identification will be requested.

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 68,500 kilometres (42,500 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 400 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns or has interests in over 11,800 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.