Alberta premier says province prepared to buy Trans Mountain pipeline outright

EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says the province will buy the Trans Mountain pipeline project outright if that's what it takes to get it built.

In a statement, Notley says that's one of many options being considered to get construction ramped up on the project, which would triple the amount of oil going from Alberta to the B.C. coast.

Notley said on the weekend that the province was looking at taking an equity stake in the line, but didn't talk about buying it completely.

The future of the line is now in question.

The pipeline builder, Kinder Morgan, announced it was scaling back on the federally approved $7.4-billion project because of opposition and delays from the B.C. government.

Kinder Morgan has given the federal government until May 31 for concrete assurance the line will get built, and Notley is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action.

"We are considering a number of financial options to ensure that the Trans Mountain expansion is built, up to and including purchasing the pipeline outright if were to come to that, but it is not the only model we're considering," Notley said in the statement Tuesday.

"Obviously the best interest and outcomes for Albertans will be front and centre as we explore these options."