Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska is another step forward in the province’s effort to bring more Alberta oil to the world.
“This pipeline will mean greater energy security for all North Americans by making sure people have access to Alberta’s responsibly developed energy resources,” Notley said in a statement Monday.
READ MORE: Nebraska regulators approve Keystone XL pipeline
The premier said the approval will also diversify the province’s markets and “maximize the value we, as Albertans, get.” She said her government will continue to urge Canadian decision-makers to follow this example so Alberta can have access to global markets from Canadian ports.
“We will need to make progress in Canada, though, in terms of diversifying our markets and getting access to the west coast and ultimately getting access to the Asia-pacific market,” Notley said following a speech at a Toronto luncheon Monday.
“We need to be able to access the Asia-Pacific market and we need to diversify our markets in order to get the best price for our product and reduce the degree to which we suffer through pretty significant discounts in Alberta.”
Watch below: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska is a great next step for the project.
Notley’s statements came after a Nebraska commission approved an alternative route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline through the state earlier Monday, removing the last major regulatory obstacle to building the long-delayed $8-billion project.
The Nebraska Public Service Commission’s vote on the long-delayed project could still be challenged in court. The alternative route would run farther north than the preferred route proposed by pipeline developer TransCanada Corp.
LISTEN: Cody Battershill of Canada Action on the future of the Keystone XL pipeline now that it has been approved by Nebraska regulators
READ MORE: Donald Trump approves Keystone XL but investors remain skeptical pipeline will be built
The pipeline would see about 830,000 barrels of oil a day transported from Hardisty, Alta. to Steele City, Neb.
TransCanada said it would carefully review the ruling and assess how the decision would impact the cost and schedule for the project.
Watch below: Keystone XL decision leads to cautious optimism for potential construction contracts.
Retired TransCanada executive vice-president Dennis McConaghy said this was “unequivocally” a good day for TransCanada, Alberta and Canada. While he recognized the line will face more opposition, ultimately he believes oil will be moving in this section of Keystone by 2021.
“There’s no question there’s going to be attempts at getting injunctive relief from the project,” McConaghy said. “But ultimately, I think this project moves forward.
“I think Canadians should be relieved and they should recognize that this was a necessary approval that TransCanada had to have so the project moves forward.”
“I’m super happy about this,” Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said. “This remains an incredibly important piece of infrastructure for Canada to ensure that we’re getting Canadian energy to world markets, that we’re not taking a discount.”
Watch below: What will Keystone XL pipeline approval through Nebraska mean for Edmonton and the Alberta economy? Chief economist John Rose weighs in.
The leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition United Conservative Party took to Twitter with a short statement on the approval.
“Thank goodness TransCanada has achieved final regulatory approval for the Keystone XL Pipeline,” Jason Kenney wrote. “Likely would have been built by now were it not for the Obama administration’s obstructionism.”
Alberta Liberal leader David Khan said he welcomes the approval of the pipeline project and what it will mean for Alberta’s economy.
“Alberta Liberals believe in balancing our economic interests with strong environmental responsibility, and consultation with Indigenous peoples. I believe this project achieves that goal,” Khan said in a statement.
“While no method is perfect, pipelines remain the safest, most secure and most environmentally responsible way to transport Alberta bitumen and oil. Alberta needs access to new markets and this project will provide it.”
Alberta Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd also took to Twitter to weigh in on the decision.
Greenpeace Canada issued a statement on the decision, saying there’s no guarantee the pipeline will ever be built given that TransCanada was not given its preferred route through the state.
“Given last week’s reminder of the dangers pipelines like Keystone XL pose, the resistance to this project will continue to grow and TransCanada will face legal challenges, and resistance to its construction plans on the land and in the banks.”
Monday’s decision comes as TransCanada continues to clean up a 5,000-barrel oil spill from its pipeline in nearby South Dakota that opponents have pointed to as reason not to approve Keystone XL.
Watch below: Drone video captured the size of the Keystone oil spill in South Dakota
READ MORE: Keystone pipeline leaks 795K litres of oil in U.S. days before XL expansion decision
Barack Obama rejected Keystone XL in 2015 after years of review, only for President Donald Trump to give the go-ahead to the project in March, saying the pipeline will bring jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Watch below: Premier Rachel Notley touts Alberta’s economy at Toronto luncheon Monday
Read the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s full decision below:
With files from The Canadian Press.