This release was issued under a previous government.

“Today’s recommendation by the National Energy Board fits a responsible national approach to energy infrastructure. Canada is balancing the need for much stronger action on climate change with the need to pay for that action, by sustainably developing our natural resources – including our energy resources.

“Finding this balance will create jobs and economic prosperity, and help Canada overcome the current commodity price shock.

“We’re getting there. Albertans are now world leaders on addressing climate change. Our province’s Climate Leadership Plan demonstrates that a forward-looking energy jurisdiction can be a world leader in the fight against climate change. We are reducing GHG emissions by putting a price on them. We are implementing a hard emissions cap in the oil sands. We are dramatically cutting methane emissions. We are phasing out coal. And we are investing billions of dollars into renewable energy and into energy efficiency.

“To pay for this important and necessary transition to a lower-carbon economy, we need to move up the value chain and we need to diversify our markets, so that we get the maximum value from the energy products that are permitted under our climate-change plan. Today’s decision is an important step in that direction.

“Canadians want to know that sustainable resource development will be pursued safely. A modern, carefully regulated, carefully monitored pipeline is the safest and most economical way to move energy products to market.

“We therefore support the efforts of the National Energy Board and the interim federal review process. We are looking forward to a careful discussion of the remaining issues on their clear economic and environmental merits.

“The Government of Alberta encourages the proponent to continue working on the conditions laid out by the National Energy Board, as we continue to make progress on all of these important issues.”