The need to get Saskatchewan oil to tidewater and to continue a clean coal program in southeast Saskatchewan were two topics covered by Sask. Party leader Brad Wall when he spoke with the Mercury late Tuesday morning.
Wall said he and a Sask. Party government would continue to impress upon the federal government and others, the need for the Energy East pipeline as well as the Keystone XL pipeline since they would be key to delivering Saskatchewan oil that would then no longer have to be discounted, but could garner a true international price at markets, if it could only get to a tidewater port or refinery.
“Quebec has added to the assessment needs and the new federal government is adding to the tests now to the point that Canadian oil will have to meet higher standards than the oil coming in from Saudi Arabia. It’s just preposterous what’s happening, somebody needs to stand up and support the energy sector. The NDP in Alberta, are beginning to support the obvious needs, but the Saskatchewan NDP isn’t,” Wall said.
In terms of clean coal, Wall said as far as he understands, the Boundary Dam Unit 3 carbon capture island is working according to expectations and targets since late December of last year.
“BHP Billiton is in with $25 million for future clean coal projects. It is also interesting to note the only mention of Canada’s efforts on climate change mentioned at the United Nations just prior to the Paris summit, was our leadership on CCS. I found that rather interesting,” Wall said.
“Some others, including Alberta are talking about abandoning it as are the Saskatchewan NDP. It’s a choice either to continue a cleanup or abandon. We choose the former.”
When questioned about the potential for carbon capture capabilities at Boundary Dam’s Units 4 and 5, Wall said emphatically, “it’s absolutely possible, the potential is certainly there.”
Wall added that if the electorate chose the Sask. Party again, they would continue to press the need for the Energy East pipeline and an accelerated well cleanup project by again appealing to the federal government for their participation. He said Alberta’s government along with more industry players were now on board and they did have the attention of the Trudeau government just prior to the federal budget being brought down, so it was a topic that could gain momentum if the Sask. Party was given a new mandate on April 4.
