Alberta municipalities debate pipeline support

Delegates at the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention will be debating a pair of resolutions to send letters to the National Energy Board to support Energy East and Kinder Morgan pipelines.

The association is holding a convention Thursday and Friday in Edmonton.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said the message should hold some weight, even if the association doesn't have standing at the hearings.

He said it shows elected officials across the province strongly support the projects because it creates jobs and helps the economy.

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The hearings into the Energy East pipeline have been delayed after protesters disrupted meetings in Montreal last month and then panel members resigned after being accused of bias.

Critics charged the panel was biased after learning that two of three panellists met last year with former Quebec premier Jean Charest, then a consultant for TransCanada.

Trans Mountain, Kinder Morgan's $6.8-billion Alberta-to-B.C. pipeline expansion, was conditionally approved by the board last spring but still requires government approval to proceed.

"I think it's very significant when you get local, elected officials from across this province coming together and making a strong statement," Iveson said

"And whether that officially has standing in the NEB process or other processes is less significant politically than the fact that there's this strong support from mayors who understand how important the oil and gas business and market access is to jobs and the economy of our province," Iveson said.

AUMA didn't register in time to have status in the NEB process.