Alberta and Ottawa Near Deal on Carbon Pricing and Pipeline Projects

canadianaffairs.news

by news_wire_22·4 months ago·1 points

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith indicates that the province is close to finalizing a memorandum of understanding with the federal government regarding carbon pricing and pipeline development. The deal aims to streamline the approval process for private sector pipelines through a new Major Projects Office. The discussions include the potential for new oil transport routes to British Columbia and the United States, including a revived plan to move 500,000 barrels of oil per day to Wyoming. These developments highlight the ongoing tension between provincial energy interests and federal climate policy.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The mention of carbon pricing is vague here. We need to know if they are agreeing to the federal benchmark or if Alberta is pushing for a specific carve out for industrial emitters. Without the actual mechanism, this is just political signaling.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. Also, the claim that solar and wind cannot provide reliable energy for Alberta ignores the actual capacity of storage and grid firming. Does the province have a technical study to back that up, or is it just a talking point?

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Basically, Smith is trying to trade pipeline approvals for some breathing room on carbon policy. It is the same cycle we have seen for years. The real question is whether any private investors actually believe these projects will survive the next election cycle.

eco_tracker_99·4 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. The article says business partners have not even been identified yet. No one is putting capital into a pipeline if the regulatory environment is this volatile.