Notley set to pass bill that could cut oil to BC in pipeline fight

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says while she welcomes Ottawa’s renewed commitment to backstopping the Trans Mountain pipeline, her government will still pass a bill that could punish BC with oil-related price spikes.

Notley says Alberta has the right to act in its own best interests, particularly as BC continues to frustrate construction of the pipeline expansion.

She says if the impasse is not resolved soon, she is, in her words, “ready and prepared to turn off the taps.”

The bill echoes similar legislation passed by Alberta in the early 1980s in a fight with Ottawa over oil resources and profits.

The bill would give Alberta the power to intervene in the energy market, to decide how much fuel is sent and by what means, be it by rail or pipeline.

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the federal government will financially backstop Trans Mountain, and says if Kinder Morgan walks away, other potential partners may step up.

Notley has also said her province would invest in the $7.4-billion project to see it gets completed.

Kinder Morgan received federal approval in 2016 to build the line to get more Alberta oil to tankers on the BC coast, but says construction delays by the BC government have put the financial feasibility of the project at risk.

Kinder Morgan has already scaled back construction and says it wants assurances by May 31 that the project, which would triple the line’s capacity, are viable.