EDMONTON — Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips says that she stands behind any federal government plan that will bolster the chances of getting pipelines built.
Phillips was responding to new initiatives announced by Ottawa surrounding resource projects, including two pipelines to get Alberta crude to ports so it can be sold overseas.
Federal reviews of those projects must now take into account upstream greenhouse gas emissions.
Ottawa also extended the review periods for the Trans Mountain and Energy East pipelines.
READ MORE: Pipe dreams: Why no one’s happy with Canada’s changing pipeline process
Phillips says previous federal governments eroded public trust in pipelines, and says she welcomes any new measures to restore confidence.
“Energy infrastructure and getting our product to tidewater is a very important priority for this government. Alberta’s ability to access energy markets is crucial, not only for our province’s energy industry but for the economic future of Canada,” Phillips said in a statement Wednesday.
“We are pleased to hear that no existing projects will have to go back to square one of their review process. A regulatory reset would have added years to this work.”
She says Alberta has already done its part with new climate change rules to cap oilsands emissions and phase out coal-fired electricity generation.
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