By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Phillips calls pipeline decision “good day” for Alberta

Nov 30, 2016 | 10:43 AM

ALBERTA – The province’s environment minister says Ottawa’s approval of two of three pipeline projects means it’s a good day for Albertans.

“Tidewater access for our oil, making sure we get a higher price for our products means more Albertans will get back to work sooner,” Shannon Phillips said in an interview, “and that’s really our priority here, and we’re glad to have the federal government’s support in that.”

The Trudeau government is giving its blessing to Kinder Morgan’s Trans-Mountain expansion to Burnaby, B.C., and the Enbridge Line 3 replacement between Hardisty, Alta. and Superior, Wisc. Phillips says it shows the environment and the economy can work hand-in-hand.

She notes Prime Minister Trudeau gave credit to Alberta’s climate change plans for making it possible.

“The prime minister did say yesterday that definitively, Alberta’s action on climate ensured this approval went forward,” she said. “What we demonstrated (Tuesday) is that the environment and the economy go hand in hand and that you can create good jobs and be a responsible energy producer while ensuring that we are taking advantage of many of the really intersting investment opportunities and job creating opportunities that come from acting on climate change and diversifying our economy. “

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Phillips also blamed the previous Conservative government of Stephen Harper for the rejection of the Northern Gateway, which would have run between the Edmonton area and Kitimat, B.C. She said the Conservatives caused the rejection by ignoring its own responsibilities to the environment and community and First Nation concerns.

She said the connection to Burnaby will allow for more diverse access for Alberta’s resources in places like Asia and California.

“Really, what this is about is ensuring we’re getting a higher price for our resources, which means more revenues to the government of Alberta, it means more investment within the oilsands, and ultimately it means more Albertans have jobs in our energy sector.”

While pipeline opponents are still planning to protest the decision, Phillips said the province will continue to work with Ottawa to address any concerns, adding pipelines are a safer way to transport crude oil than rail.