N.B. premier heading to Alberta to discuss Energy East pipeline
by The Canadian Press
Brian Gallant scheduled to meet with Alberta Premier Jim Prentice, senior TransCanada officials
SAINT ANDREWS, N.B.—New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant is scheduled to head to Alberta next week to discuss the proposed Energy East pipeline project with Alberta Premier Jim Prentice.
Gallant will spend four days in Alberta, where he will also meet senior TransCanada Corp. officials in Calgary.
He says he also wants to meet with Alberta business leaders to show his commitment to the $12-billion development and help secure opportunities for New Brunswick.
Former premiers David Alward and Alison Redford made similar trips to each other’s provinces when they were in office in support of the project.
If it proceeds, Energy East ship oil from Alberta to refineries in Quebec, with a pipeline extension to be built to a refinery and export terminal in Saint John, N.B.
TransCanada is expected to file a formal proposal with the national energy regulator within weeks.
The project is facing growing opposition in Quebec and Ontario, where natural gas distributors have said the proposed conversion from natural gas to crude oil will reduce the supply of natural gas for customers during peak winter.
