Brad Wall puts focus on Energy East pipeline after Keystone XL rejection

Brad Wall is once again reiterating that a focus needs to be put on the Energy East pipeline with the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline in the U.S.

After releasing a statement on Friday following US President Barack Obama’s decision, the premier joined Gormley on Monday morning. Wall again said he wasn’t surprised by Obama’s decision, but still found the decision puzzling.

“Last year, 2014, 493,000 cars, rail cars full of oil (were) moving the product across the United States, and the state department made the point – (Obama’s) own state department made the point – that greenhouse gas emission are up obviously higher from that rail transportation than they would be from a pipeline.”

Wall said he believes the move was clearly political – a way for Obama to burnish his image going into this month’s global climate change summit in Paris.

The premier maintains that it’s important to open Canadian oil up to more markets, saying Saskatchewan is hurt by the price it currently gets for crude.

“As we get more oil to Tide Water … we decrease the discount at which we’re selling this oil.”

Wall says the Energy East pipeline is now the best way for Canada to become more independent of the need to import oil.

Pipeline manufacturer disappointed

Evraz North America released a statement Friday saying it is disappointed in President Obama’s decision to deny the permit that would allow Keystone XL pipeline project to move forward.

“Like TransCanada, EVRAZ believes that Keystone XL is in the best interest of Americans and Canadians and we will support TransCanada’s continuing efforts toward getting the pipeline built.” said Conrad Winkler, president and CEO of Evraz North America in a news release. “We will also continue to work with pipeline partners on other pipeline projects in process across North America that will increase energy security and support economic vitality.”