Ottawa keeps pipeline projects on hold, industry says
Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post Published: Wednesday, October 01, 2008
CALGARY -- Pipeline projects in Canada need timely government decisions, said Brenda Kenny, the president of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association.
In speech in Calgary Wednesday, she said the penalty for delays is cost overruns and uncertainty.
"We are poised at this critical juncture to build the infrastructure necessary to deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to all Canadians," she said.
"The pipeline industry is ready to go and we're ready to go responsibly. All we need is decisive government leadership."
Ms. Kenny said members of her association are planning $40-billion in projects, which jumps to $80-billion if gas pipelines from the Mackenzie Delta and Alaska are included.
The Mackenzie pipeline is awaiting a repeatedly delayed regulatory ruling that has boosted its costs by billions.
Ms. Kenny argued that delaying decisions does not make projects safer or more environmentally sound.
She said pipelines are the safest way to transport oil and gas.
