Latest news with #DevinDreeshen
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Alberta pushing for pipeline to the west coast; B.C. not in support of the idea
Alberta is leading the charge for a new pipeline to the west coast to strengthen our economy amid the ongoing trade war, but B.C. does not support the idea. As Alberta's government signs an agreement aimed at cutting red tape for oilfield rigs, it asks Ottawa to clear the path for a cross-country pipeline since B.C. opposes the idea. 'That's where the federal government really needs to step up because no province can block another province's access to tidewater to markets,' said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta's transportation and economic corridors minister. With the prime minister promising to fast-track projects of national interest, Alberta's premier is eyeing a potential route. 'We've got to work with where we think we'll have the most success, and where I think we'll have the most success right now is working on a corridor between Hudson Bay and the port of Prince Rupert,' Premier Danielle Smith said. But B.C. says that doesn't make sense to them. 'This would be a colossally expensive and not economic proposal. It's a political proposal, and fair enough, but we have a different view,' said Adrian Dix, B.C.'s energy and climate solutions minister. The Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion ended up costing nearly seven times the original price, forcing the federal government to step in and save it, leaving taxpayers on the hook for the nearly $34-billion project. Alberta has not yet named any potential projects. 'We're currently trying to make sure that we can send those signals to industry, that they can invest in new pipelines in Canada,' Dreeshen said. Energy experts say one of the biggest barriers is securing investors. 'We see this right now, for example, with LNG Canada on the west coast; we're not waiting for regulatory approval, we're waiting for the investors to say yes, and we've been waiting for the investors to say yes for a number of years now,' said Andrew Leach, University of Alberta energy economist. Some economists point to other ideas to improve Canada's economy and sovereignty, including high-speed rail or an east-west power grid. 'One that's much more likely to get the consent of First Nations, one that meets our long-term energy needs rather than short-term political positioning,' said Marc Lee, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist. In 2019, Ottawa approved twinning of the Trans Mountain Pipeline despite opposition from B.C.'s government and First Nations.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alberta enters agreement to reduce inspection stops for oilfield service rigs
The Alberta government has entered into an agreement to cut down on the number of inspection stops for oilfield service rigs. A new memorandum of agreement with the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, an industry advocacy group, will integrate drivers into a pre-clearance program, Drivewyze, so approved vehicles can bypass stops at select weigh stations, according to a news release the provincial government issued Thursday. But association members who subscribe to Drivewyze and meet certain safety benchmarks will be exempt from routine stops at vehicle inspection stations, the release said. "When [oil rig service providers] load up essentially the same convoy, it's the same trucks with the same weight, with the same equipment that go from location to location," Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said during a news conference. "This has been a long-standing industry concern of always having to go to the weight stations." Before this agreement, these rig convoys had to stop at every vehicle inspection station on their route, the news release said. But now, transponders on the trucks would allow them to pass by inspection and weigh stations, Dreeshen said, comparing Drivewyze to the federal Nexus program, which was designed to speed up Canada-U.S. border crossings for low-risk, pre-approved travellers. The agreement will make it easier for the rigs "to spend more time in the field and less time dealing with administrative burdens," Dreeshen said. Mark Scholz, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, said the agreement "recognizes the unique transportation requirements that this industry needs." The risk level and portfolio of oilfield service rigs are different from other kinds of rigs, because they spend much more time stationary performing well-serving operations, Scholz said, adding that sometimes, the oilfield service rigs drive as little as 500 kilometres a year. The new agreement "serves as a model for potential alignment with Saskatchewan and Manitoba," the news release said. The Opposition NDP was unable to provide CBC News with a comment on the new agreement before publication.
CBC
a day ago
- Automotive
- CBC
Alberta enters agreement to reduce inspection stops for oilfield service rigs
The Alberta government has entered into an agreement to cut down on the number of inspection stops for oilfield service rigs. A new memorandum of agreement with the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, an industry advocacy group, will integrate drivers into a pre-clearance program, Drivewyze, so approved vehicles can bypass stops at select weigh stations, according to a news release the provincial government issued Thursday. But association members who subscribe to Drivewyze and meet certain safety benchmarks will be exempt from routine stops at vehicle inspection stations, the release said. "When [oil rig service providers] load up essentially the same convoy, it's the same trucks with the same weight, with the same equipment that go from location to location," Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said during a news conference. "This has been a long-standing industry concern of always having to go to the weight stations." Before this agreement, these rig convoys had to stop at every vehicle inspection station on their route, the news release said. But now, transponders on the trucks would allow them to pass by inspection and weigh stations, Dreeshen said, comparing Drivewyze to the federal Nexus program, which was designed to speed up Canada-U.S. border crossings for low-risk, pre-approved travellers. The agreement will make it easier for the rigs "to spend more time in the field and less time dealing with administrative burdens," Dreeshen said. Mark Scholz, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors, said the agreement "recognizes the unique transportation requirements that this industry needs." The risk level and portfolio of oilfield service rigs are different from other kinds of rigs, because they spend much more time stationary performing well-serving operations, Scholz said, adding that sometimes, the oilfield service rigs drive as little as 500 kilometres a year. The new agreement "serves as a model for potential alignment with Saskatchewan and Manitoba," the news release said.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Way paved for oilfield service convoys to stop less often and drive more growth, government says in announcement
Oilfield service rigs will spend less time stopped beside the highway, thanks to what the Alberta government classifies as a new reduction in red tape. An agreement announced today preclears qualifying rigs and their convoys as safety compliant for transport. Until now, the processions of trucks and equipment were required to stop at every Alberta vehicle inspection station along their routes. 'This change is about common sense,' Devin Dreeshen, the minister of transportation and economic corridors, says in a news release posted today. 'It cuts red tape, keeps our rigs moving and lets the energy service sector focus on what they do best — driving growth, creating jobs and supporting responsible energy development across Alberta.' Under a rating system of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the province leads Canada in red tape reduction with a score of 9.5 out of 10 in its 2025 report card. The province also topped the report card in 2024 with a 9.4 rating. The news release portrays the agreement as a model for potential alignment with Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Interprovincial trade and the harmonization of regulations have become frequent talking points across the country as Canada adjusts to a changing economic climate brought on by Donald Trump's tariffs. IBISWorld, a global market research firm, estimates the market size of oil and gas services in Alberta at an annualized $33.8 billion in revenue. The industry employs more than 50,000 people at more than 9,600 businesses. The memorandum of agreement is between Alberta Transportation and Corridors and a trade association representing companies affected by the change, the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors. Mark A. Scholz, the president and CEO of the association, says in the release that the government 'listens to our needs and demonstrates a truly action-oriented approach, strengthening Alberta's energy sector and supporting our hardworking crews every step of the way.' The agreement makes use of a private company's preclearance program that allows commercial vehicles with strong safety records to bypass inspection stations. Scholz called the move 'a great example of a government showing strong leadership by reducing red tape and creating efficiencies wherever possible.' Said Energy Minister Brian Jean in the release: 'Alberta's priority is to get our reserves out of the ground sooner, to drive royalties, taxes, jobs and wealth creation. This change will help us get there without endangering the safety of Albertans in responsible resource development.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Calgary Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Springbank Off-stream Reservoir now operational, says province
After three years of construction, the controversial Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) is now operational, says the Alberta government. Article content Article content The reservoir, located about 15 kilometres west of Calgary, was built to prevent another flood like the one Calgary and southern Alberta experienced during the June 2013 floods. Five people died in the catastrophic floods, which caused more than $5 billion in damages. Article content Article content The SR1 will only hold water during a flood, when it will divert water from the Elbow River and release it back into the river once there's no longer a flood risk. Article content Article content When the Elbow's water level rises, SR1's 4.7-kilometre long, 24-metre wide diversion channel will move water to the off-stream storage reservoir, which can store more than 70 million cubic metres of water about 28,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Article content 'With flood season now upon us, Calgary and southern Alberta can rest assured that they will be protected from future large-scale floods like that of 2013,' said Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen in a Wednesday statement. 'SR1's innovative design will ensure people, communities and businesses are buffered from the most devastating physical and economic impacts of major floods.' Article content Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said Calgarians remember 'all too well' the devastation caused by the 2013 floods, but added the SR1's completion 'marks a turning point.' Article content Article content 'The completion of SR1 means we are better prepared, more resilient and actively protecting people, property and prosperity,' said Gondek in a Wednesday statement. Article content Last week, the city's river engineering leader said the SR1 will work in tandem with the Glenmore Reservoir, which doubled its own water storage capacity in 2020, and its added capacity has drastically reduced the chances of flooding along the Elbow River. Article content The SR1 cost an estimated $849.4 million, a figure that includes land purchases, the province says. Article content The Alberta government is footing $680.9 million of that bill, and the federal government is contributing $168.5 million. Article content The province's share has jumped over $100 million from the estimate provided by former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney three years ago. In 2022, Kenney said the province would pay $576 million for the SR1 which itself was a 25 per cent increase over the highest estimate at the time of $432 million.
