An opinion piece argues Alberta Premier Danielle Smith weakened her bargaining position with oil sands producers over the Pathways carbon capture project by announcing $100 payments to residents. The project, expected to cost up to $20 billion, is part of a grand bargain that also includes a new bitumen pipeline to the B.C. coast. The article notes oil sands producers are pushing back on funding Pathways, arguing it would spend heavily for minimal global emissions reduction. Alberta's sudden revenue windfall from oil price spikes, followed by the populist payout, undercuts the province's ability to demand industry contributions. Royalties from oil sands projects currently account for 20% of Alberta's revenues. The piece suggests producers will demand royalty reductions in exchange for CCS investment, making the fiscal stakes significant for the province's budget.
