British Columbia’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions expressed disappointment Tuesday about that Last week’s revelation that the Alberta government is studying the possibility of four different pipeline routes on B.C.’s north coast.
Adrian Dix, who was in Calgary on Tuesday for the launch of the Global Energy Show, called it “too late in the process” for the BC government to learn about the proposals.
However, he also dismissed suggestions that BC was “caught by surprise,” saying any proposal for a pipeline from Alberta to BC’s North Coast faces “significant fundamental challenges” because so far there is no private sector backer and a federal ban on tanker traffic along the North Coast remains in place.
News that the Alberta government is considering several potential routes for the pipeline, including three through northern BC, became public last week after CBC News get documents showing the possible routes.
All three northern routes would require lifting the federal ban on tankers, something the BC government and many First Nations oppose.
All three northern routes for a pipeline being studied by the Alberta government would require lifting a federal ban on tankers.
Global News
Another route would see the pipeline built along a southern route, terminating in the Vancouver area.
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The Alberta government has also released a new one promotional video as she continues to make her case for a new oil pipeline on the BC coast.
An image taken from a video produced by the Alberta government promoting the idea of a new oil pipeline on the BC coast.
Source: Government of Alberta
So far, the UN government has said it is being left out of the discussions.
Dix was repeatedly pressed by reporters in Calgary on Tuesday about whether he intended to have any talks with the Alberta government about a potential pipeline.
“To suggest that, three weeks before you reveal your project, you have different avenues you’re considering — that’s interesting to me.”
But Dix added that he is attending the Global Energy Show to focus on BC projects, including those that already have industry backers.
The Alberta government hopes to submit a final proposal for the pipeline to Ottawa by July 1.
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