While opposition to the proposed Energy East pipeline might be heating up, the new premiers of Alberta and New Brunswick are united in their support for the project intended to link the oilsands to East Coast refineries.Alberta Premier Jim Prentice met with New Brunswick’s Premier Brian Gallant on Monday at McDougall Centre, with each promising to support TransCanada Pipeline’s planned project.
“The essence of this, in terms of our two provinces, this is an extraordinary opportunity,” said Prentice, who won the leadership of Alberta’s Progressive Conservative government last month.
“Allowing Alberta’s energy, in partnership with the people of New Brunswick, to access the Atlantic basin ... will afford prosperity to both our provinces.”
Gallant, who was sworn in as premier two weeks ago, said he had chosen to come to Alberta on his first trip outside of New Brunswick as premier because of the significance of the project.
“That’s why we’re here, to reaffirm our commitment to see the Energy East pipeline project go through and, second, to continue the dialogue as to why this is important for our country,” said Gallant, who will meet with TransCanada executives on Tuesday.
“It’s important for us to deal with access to emerging markets, it’s important for us to continue to find ways to be efficient.”
The TransCanada plan calls for the conversion and reversal of an existing natural gas pipeline, as well as extensive new construction.
The $12-billion pipeline would carry 1.1-million barrels of crude oil per day from terminals at Hardisty and Moosomin, Sask., to refineries in Montreal, the Quebec City region and Saint John, N.B.
Crude not used in Eastern Canada would be exported to international markets from marine terminals built in Quebec and New Brunswick.
TransCanada is expected to file a detailed application for the project with the National Energy Board later this year.
Alberta and New Brunswick have already given their strong backing to the plan.
In 2013, it was Alison Redford and David Alward who stood side-by-side affirming their support for Energy East. But Redford was forced to resign in the midst of a series of controversies this March, while Alward’s one-term PC government was defeated by Gallant’s Liberals last month.
However, both Ontario and Quebec have remained noncommital on the project, with both provinces expected to seek intervener status with the NEB.
And like projects such as Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to the British Columbia coast, opposition has risen up to Energy East from environmental groups and some local communities.
Last month, TransCanada was hit by a Quebec court with a temporary injunction until Oct. 15 on seismic work for a planned export terminal on the St. Lawrence River because of possible harm to endangered beluga whales.
There have also been concerns raised by natural gas distribution companies in Quebec, who warn that it will lead to supply shortages and higher prices because of a decrease in natural gas transportation capacity.
Prentice said he expects the various commercial interests will be able to sort out their differences.
And both premiers said they would work with other provinces, First Nations and environmental groups to show the benefit of the project.
Michal Moore, an energy and environmental policy expert at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, said that environmentalists feel they have the wind in their sails after efforts that have “stalled” Northern Gateway — and they are likely to take similar action against Energy East.
However, he said the pipeline to the Atlantic remains viable, even with the current dip in oil prices, both politically and economically.
In a written statement, TransCanada spokesman Shawn Howard said the company welcomed the meeting between Gallant and Prentice, and he pointed to the strong support the project has received in New Brunswick.
Original Article
Source: canada.com/
Author: JAMES WOOD
“The essence of this, in terms of our two provinces, this is an extraordinary opportunity,” said Prentice, who won the leadership of Alberta’s Progressive Conservative government last month.
“Allowing Alberta’s energy, in partnership with the people of New Brunswick, to access the Atlantic basin ... will afford prosperity to both our provinces.”
Gallant, who was sworn in as premier two weeks ago, said he had chosen to come to Alberta on his first trip outside of New Brunswick as premier because of the significance of the project.
“That’s why we’re here, to reaffirm our commitment to see the Energy East pipeline project go through and, second, to continue the dialogue as to why this is important for our country,” said Gallant, who will meet with TransCanada executives on Tuesday.
“It’s important for us to deal with access to emerging markets, it’s important for us to continue to find ways to be efficient.”
The TransCanada plan calls for the conversion and reversal of an existing natural gas pipeline, as well as extensive new construction.
The $12-billion pipeline would carry 1.1-million barrels of crude oil per day from terminals at Hardisty and Moosomin, Sask., to refineries in Montreal, the Quebec City region and Saint John, N.B.
Crude not used in Eastern Canada would be exported to international markets from marine terminals built in Quebec and New Brunswick.
TransCanada is expected to file a detailed application for the project with the National Energy Board later this year.
Alberta and New Brunswick have already given their strong backing to the plan.
In 2013, it was Alison Redford and David Alward who stood side-by-side affirming their support for Energy East. But Redford was forced to resign in the midst of a series of controversies this March, while Alward’s one-term PC government was defeated by Gallant’s Liberals last month.
However, both Ontario and Quebec have remained noncommital on the project, with both provinces expected to seek intervener status with the NEB.
And like projects such as Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to the British Columbia coast, opposition has risen up to Energy East from environmental groups and some local communities.
Last month, TransCanada was hit by a Quebec court with a temporary injunction until Oct. 15 on seismic work for a planned export terminal on the St. Lawrence River because of possible harm to endangered beluga whales.
There have also been concerns raised by natural gas distribution companies in Quebec, who warn that it will lead to supply shortages and higher prices because of a decrease in natural gas transportation capacity.
Prentice said he expects the various commercial interests will be able to sort out their differences.
And both premiers said they would work with other provinces, First Nations and environmental groups to show the benefit of the project.
Michal Moore, an energy and environmental policy expert at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, said that environmentalists feel they have the wind in their sails after efforts that have “stalled” Northern Gateway — and they are likely to take similar action against Energy East.
However, he said the pipeline to the Atlantic remains viable, even with the current dip in oil prices, both politically and economically.
In a written statement, TransCanada spokesman Shawn Howard said the company welcomed the meeting between Gallant and Prentice, and he pointed to the strong support the project has received in New Brunswick.
Original Article
Source: canada.com/
Author: JAMES WOOD
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