Experts question Alberta power threats to B.C. as pipeline politics intensify
CALGARY — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s promise to suspend electricity talks with British Columbia over a pipeline dispute may not carry much weight, according to energy experts.
Notley made the commitment Thursday in protest to B.C.’s announcement that it would at least temporarily restrict increases in diluted bitumen shipments, creating more uncertainty for Kinder Morgan Inc.’s delayed Trans Mountain expansion project.
The amount of power in question is, however, relatively minor, said energy consultant David Gray at Gray Energy Economics Inc.
“You’re not talking about much in the grand scheme of things, it’s not much of a weapon.”