The Canada-Alberta pipeline agreement includes a massive carbon capture project called Pathways, which is meant to lower the carbon intensity of oilsands production. But real-world CCUS projects have often underperformed, with average capture rates near 48% and some as low as 78% of claimed capacity. This raises questions about whether the deal's climate goals are realistic. The article also highlights environmental and safety risks, including induced seismicity, groundwater contamination, and CO2 leakage. While the pipeline is still in early stages, Canadians should watch how Pathways performs and whether monitoring and safety standards are adequate. The piece offers a skeptical but evidence-based look at a flagship policy tied to fossil fuel expansion.
