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Calgary, Alberta oilpatch applaud Trudeau pipeline approvals

Click to play video: 'CAPP dissapointed Northern Gateway denied, but pleased Kinder Morgan approved'
CAPP dissapointed Northern Gateway denied, but pleased Kinder Morgan approved
WATCH ABOVE: CAPP President and CEO, Tim McMillan is dissapointed Northern Gateway was denied, but pleased the federal government approved Kinder Morgan – Nov 29, 2016

The financial centre of the oilpatch applauded Ottawa’s approval of two massive pipeline developments, saying the decisions send a message that Canada is open to investment at a time when the economy sorely needs it.

For months, the energy sector had waited with bated breath for federal pronouncement on three projects: Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain expansion and Enbridge’s Northern Gateway and Line 3.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded, rejecting Northern Gateway while sanctioning the other two proposals.

READ MORE: Justin Trudeau halts Northern Gateway, approves Kinder Morgan expansion, Line 3

“This is a defining moment for our project and Canada’s energy industry,” Ian Anderson, president of Kinder Morgan Canada, said in a news release.

The $6.8-billion Trans Mountain expansion would see the capacity of a pipeline that runs from the Edmonton area to Burnaby, B.C., nearly triple, to 890,000 barrels per day.

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Trudeau also announced the approval of the Line 3 replacement project, which would see that pipeline roughly double its current output to 760,000 barrels per day.

When combined with the Trans Mountain expansion, Trudeau gave the green light to close to a million barrels of crude a day in one fell swoop.

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READ MORE: TransMountain, Line 3 are moving forward – they could still face major delays

“This is exactly the good news the Albertan and Canadian economies need right now,” Calgary Chamber CEO Adam Legge said in a statement.

Watch below: Alberta’s embattled oil industry got some good news from Ottawa Tuesday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given the green light to two major pipeline expansion projects.Tom Vernon reports.

Click to play video: 'Alberta reacts to pipeline project approvals'
Alberta reacts to pipeline project approvals

“This is a signal that Canada is open for business and for investment. This will have positive impacts throughout the petroleum value chain. When producers are more certain they will be able to get their products to market, they are also more likely to make investment.”

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For Enbridge, Trudeau’s announcement was a mixed blessing. The Calgary-based energy giant said it was pleased with the government’s approval of Line 3 but disappointed with its dismissal of Northern Gateway.

Northern Gateway would have shipped up to 525,000 barrels of crude per day from the Edmonton area to Kitimat, B.C., for export to Asian markets. Trudeau had telegraphed well in advance his opposition to the project, and on Tuesday he made it formal.

“Given today’s decision, we’ll need to assess our alternatives, which we’ll do in consultation with our partners, including our aboriginal equity partners,” Enbridge said in a statement.

Watch below: Tim McMillan, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers thinks the environmental steps put in place by the federal government will improve Canada’s oil exports.

Click to play video: 'CAPP thinks environmental steps are good for Canada’s reputation'
CAPP thinks environmental steps are good for Canada’s reputation

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