Alberta Coalition Pushes Federal Review of 249-Mile CO₂ Pipeline Project
Indigenous leaders and rural landowners in Alberta are urging a federal review of a proposed $16.5 billion, 400-km (249-mile) CO₂ pipeline, citing safety risks and a lack of consultation.
(P&GJ) — Indigenous leaders, farmers and rural landowners in Alberta have formed a coalition opposing a proposed carbon capture pipeline and are calling for a federal environmental review of the project, as reported by the Edmonton Journal.
The group, operating under the name “No CO₂ Pipeline,” is urging Ottawa to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment of the Pathways Alliance carbon capture development, which includes a roughly 400-km (249-mile) pipeline system intended to transport captured carbon dioxide from oilsands operations to a storage hub near Cold Lake.
Coalition members said their concerns center on what they describe as limited consultation with affected communities, as well as potential risks tied to pipeline leaks or ruptures. They have submitted a letter to the federal government requesting that it intervene in the approval process.
The Pathways Alliance project, backed by major oilsands producers, is estimated at $16.5 billion and would connect more than 20 facilities in northern Alberta through a centralized CO₂ transport network.
According to the Edmonton Journal, the Alberta Energy Regulator previously determined that a provincial environmental impact assessment would not be required for the project, though that decision could be revisited if new information emerges.
Coalition members argue that federal oversight is necessary, particularly as the project spans multiple communities and involves long-term infrastructure expected to operate for decades. Local landowners have also raised concerns about land access, environmental impacts and long-term liability.
The proposed pipeline is part of broader efforts to expand carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) infrastructure in Canada, as operators seek to reduce emissions from oilsands production while maintaining output levels.