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Danielle Smith on Keystone Pipeline

Strong pipeline advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Danielle Smith strongly supports resurrecting the Keystone XL pipeline and advancing new cross-border oil egress infrastructure.

Key Points

  • She stated a desire to start earnest conversations about a 'Keystone 2.0 or something else' once the U.S. Interior Secretary is sworn in as of early 2025.

  • She acknowledged that Prime Minister Mark Carney had placed the Keystone pipeline issue back on the table as a potential tool to secure a deal for steel and aluminum in October 2025.

  • She previously agreed with a former U.S. President’s call to build the pipeline, stating that the project should never have been cancelled in early 2025.

Summary

Danielle Smith, the Premier of Alberta, has expressed a clear desire to work with the United States government, particularly a potential Trump administration, to resurrect the Keystone XL oil pipeline, often referring to a 'Keystone 2.0' proposal. Her core position is that increased pipeline access, including possibly through new routes or reviving existing proposals, is essential for Alberta to realize its goals of increasing oil and gas production. She sees this as a 'win all the way around' that can help the U.S. achieve energy goals while generating significant revenue for the Canadian economy.

Her support for the project is contextualized by her broader push for increased energy egress capacity, having also advocated for optimizing the Enbridge Mainline and supporting the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Smith is prepared to use Alberta's advantages in negotiations with U.S. counterparts, having attended an inauguration seeking exemptions from potential tariffs for the energy industry. The Premier sees the revival of Keystone XL or similar projects as critical for economic stability, especially given the federal government's policies impacting energy exports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Danielle Smith is a strong advocate for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline or a similar 'Keystone 2.0' project. She believes that expanding pipeline egress to the United States is vital for Alberta's oil and gas industry and the broader Canadian economy. Her government is actively seeking to engage with U.S. officials to advance such infrastructure projects.

Her current position shows consistent support for reviving the Keystone XL project or finding equivalent cross-border egress. She voiced agreement with a former U.S. President on building the pipeline when that sentiment was publicly stated. She frames this as an ongoing priority for Alberta's economic strategy.

The Premier indicated she is looking forward to starting earnest conversations with the incoming U.S. administration regarding pipeline access, including Keystone XL. She sees this as a way for Alberta to help the U.S. achieve energy goals while securing necessary infrastructure for Canadian oil.