Ottawa won’t bend on looking at emissions when considering pipeline projects: Carr

Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the federal government has no intention of scaling back its push to study all emissions impacts from new pipeline proposals.

Carr is commenting a week after Trans Canada Corp., said it would suspend an application to build its $15.7 billion Energy East pipeline to re-evaluate its business case after the National Energy Board laid out a tougher review process that will include looking at indirect emissions related to the pipeline, from production to end use.

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

Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ ongoing coverage of the Energy East project.

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

• Brian Gallant seeks clarity as future of Energy East Pipeline in doubt
• New Brunswick Opposition blaming Gallant government for Energy East assessment suspension
• Energy East Pipeline opponents march in Fredericton
• Greenhouse gas emissions possibly added to the mix in Energy East Pipeline review
• Ambrose says she doesn’t believe Energy East will become a reality
• Keystone, Kinder Morgan, Energy East pipelines will reduce costs: Notley
• Stakeholders weigh in on future of Energy East Project
• Senate committee report recommends extending Energy East end point to Nova Scotia
• Pipeline Company confirms support for Energy East, despite renewed interest in Keystone XL project
• Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney says Energy East in national interest
• Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney says Energy East in national interest
• ‘It continues to be a challenging conversation’: Alberta Premier Notley on Energy East
• Opinions divided after National Energy Board announces recusal of Energy East Pipeline hearing reviewers
• NEB changes panels members and will restart Energy East Pipeline hearings
• Montreal protesters shut down Energy East hearings
• Montreal Energy East hearings cancelled for the day amid protests
• Montreal Energy East hearings cancelled for the day amid protesters
• Energy East pipeline
• First Nations leaders voice concerns at Energy East hearings in Saint John

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The minister says the government made clear in January 2016 that greenhouse gas emissions would be reviewed as part of an interim overhaul of the environmental assessment process, pending a full review and restructuring.

That review was completed earlier this year and a decision on the permanent process is expected this fall.

Carr says the government is not bending on including emissions as a factor to be considered when deciding if a project is in the national interest.

He says the interim principles helped inform the government’s decision to give the green light to projects like the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion and it’s up to the company, not the government, to decide if the market forces are there to continue with any particular project.