Pacific Link Pipeline Project Gets Green Light from Federal Government
The Alberta government and its supporters are hailing the federal government's decision to deem the proposed Pacific Link pipeline as a project in the national interest. The move is seen as a victory for the oil industry, particularly in Alberta, which has been at the forefront of the separation referendum debate.
Richard Masson, former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, said that the federal government's decision signals certainty to investors and marks a significant turning point after several high-profile pipeline project failures. 'The political decision has been made up front: this is in the national interest,' he stated.
The proposed pipeline, which is 90% owned by Alberta and Ottawa in equal shares, would carry one million barrels per day to the West Coast. However, experts warn that many questions must be answered before the project can move forward, including whether Canadian oil producers are up to the task of filling it.
'For oilsands players, their choice is about growth or no growth,' said RJ Johnston, director of energy and natural resources at the University of Calgary. 'We're moving in that direction' towards a tight global oil market and regulatory momentum in Canada.