Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is suspended by Kinder Morgan

#KinderMorgan, #TransMountainpipelineexpansion, #SteveKean, #JohnHorgan, #RachelNotley,  #AlexPourbaix, #Alberta, #BritishColumbia, #Saskatchewan #Canada, #AlexPourbaix, #CenovusEnergy, #FortMcMurray, #JustinTrudeau

Ottawa/Alberta, Apr 10 (Canadian-Media):  Kinder Morgan, one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America,  announced on Sunday it was suspending non-essential activities and related spending for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion on $7.4-billion project till May 31, media reports said.

Kinder Morgan. Image credit: Twitter handle

​The news caused tension in Alberta, British Columbia and federal governments for a few weeks.

Of the many causes was B.C.'s strongly concern for political risk posed by Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and its legal challenges.

Steve Kean, CEO of Kinder Morgan Canada also said that B.C. should have adequate protection of its shareholders.

On Sunday, B.C. Premier John Horgan said that the pipeline was not in the national interest and also clarified that the project had not been harassed by B.C.

"My views on this have been consistent for the past year," said Horgan. "We believe the risk is too great...rights of British Columbians to stand up and make sure that we're doing everything we can to protect the interests of our province...I don't want to do that in a provocative way. I don't want any threats. I don't want any ultimatums."

On the other hand Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced during her news conference on Sunday that the Alberta government was prepared to do whatever it takes to get the pipeline built. 

"If we take that step, we will be a significantly more determined investor," Notley told reporters. "This pipeline will be built."

But even one of Notley's fiercest critics, Alberta United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney, backed the idea and said that Alberta government's forthcoming legislation would impose serious economic consequences on B.C.

Alex Pourbaix, CEO of Cenovus Energy, also called on the federal government to ensure that the project does not suffer the same fate as the Energy East project.

"If the rule of law is not upheld and this project is allowed to fail, it will have a chilling effect on investment not just in British Columbia, but across the whole country," he said in a statement.

Canad prime minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to Fort McMurray's oil sand s in North Alberta was able to convince of the importance of building of pipeline.

This Sunday he was Saskatchewan  and said on social media that "Canada is a country of the rule of law, and the federal government will act in the national interest." 

He also added once again that the pipeline expansion "will be built." but it was unclear what steps he would be taking.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)