Gallant says Ottawa should pay for added Energy East pipeline regulatory costs

New Brunswick’s premier says if Ottawa wants to change the rules of the regulatory process for the Energy East pipeline, it should pay the added costs.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Brian Gallant says the proposed project is in jeopardy because the National Energy Board has said it would consider indirect greenhouse gas emissions caused by the project.

READ MORE: Finance expert says federal government needs to ‘level the playing field’ following new NEB pipeline emissions review

The premier says Ottawa should pay for the analysis of upstream and downstream emissions, along with similar analyses of other ways of supplying oil.

“Many people believe that the pipeline may ultimately be rejected due to political considerations,” Gallant says in the letter released Monday.

“I believe that this project is in jeopardy and that is not in the interests of this country.”

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WATCH: Brian Gallant seeks clarity as future of Energy East Pipeline in doubt

1:48 Brian Gallant seeks clarity as future of Energy East Pipeline in doubt

TransCanada has put its application to build the $15.7-billion pipeline from Hardisty, Alta., to Saint John, N.B., on hold.

The Calgary-based company is calling the changes to the regulatory process “significant,” and has also warned that the entire project and related Eastern Mainline pipeline project could be cancelled.