Notley seeks to sell pipeline on merits
Discussions with Ontario premier include reframing the debate
Alberta’s commitment to strengthening its environmental policy will help it win support from other provinces for energy infrastructure projects like the proposed Energy East oil pipeline, Premier Rachel Notley said Thursday from Toronto.
Notley, who was attacked by opposition critics for not promoting the project while speaking in Quebec on Monday, said she had a good discussion about it with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.
“We talked about how we could re- frame the debate so we’re able to talk about the specific economic and environmental merits of a pipeline as opposed to a whole bunch of other stuff,” Notley told reporters in a conference call.
“She allowed for the fact that our renewed focus in bringing into place a thoughtful environmental policy framework, including the work we’re doing on climate change, would make it easier for Ontario to address those issues.”
Alberta’s premier said she made the case that the diversification of the energy industry market will benefit not just Alberta, but all of Canada. She said Wynne acknowledged there are a number of Ontario businesses that rely on their relationship with the Alberta energy industry.
Ontario and Quebec have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the Energy East pipeline project. Notley admitted Alberta could do a better job of explaining the need for the development to diversify its energy markets.
TransCanada Corp. of Calgary wants to build the $ 12- billion pipeline to carry Alberta bitumen to ports in Eastern Canada, which involves converting an existing natural gas pipe to carry the heavy oil, as well as building new pipe through Quebec and New Brunswick.
“A project like the pipeline shouldn’t be about pitting one province against another,” Wynne told reporters following her meeting with Notley at the Ontario legislature.
“It’s about how do we have this conversation that recognizes the economic merits and the economic needs of all provinces.”
Notley was also asked why she has suggested an alternative B. C. terminus for proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline — a project that would move more Alberta oil to the west coast — but said she would leave that decision to the pipeline proponent.
“It’s critically important for our economy that we diversify our energy markets,” the premier said. “The single- best thing the government of Alberta can do to achieve that goal is to make better decisions about the environment.”
Speaking to reporters, Notley also denied calling the proposed Keystone XL pipeline a threat to Alberta, saying she was misquoted. But she has often said shipping raw bitumen to refineries on the U. S. Gulf Coast may hurt the economics of refining more of the product in Alberta.
Wildrose house leader Nathan Cooper said Notley’s trip this week to Montreal, Toronto and New York has been marked by “confusing signals” to investors about the province’s position on key energy issues, such as a cap- and- trade emissions system and carbon taxes.
“She’s not providing, in our opinion, the leadership that’s required to lead and create certainty in our trading partners and investors by going to the United States to attack the industry that drives this country,” Cooper told reporters at the legislature.
Interim Progressive Conservative Leader Ric McIver said the premier came home “empty- handed” from the $ 24,000 trip.
“She has been very unclear on what she will do to promote and defend Alberta’s oil and gas industry and build pipelines to tidewater,” he said in a statement. “We all want to get it right on the environment, but we need action now to protect and create jobs in Alberta.”
Notley also said she has invited the Ontario premier to lead a business mission to Alberta “in the months to come.”