Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Supports Carbon Capture as Nation-Building Project, Seeking Federal Funding and Regulatory Approval

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has secured the appointment of Dawn Farrell as CEO of the Major Projects Office, a move that promises to be politically dangerous. Farrell, a veteran energy executive, has served as Smith's adviser and has experience in tough jobs such as CEO of TransAlta and the Trans Mountain pipeline. Her first task is to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney on a wish list of projects, including the $16.5-billion Alberta carbon capture and storage project. The project, championed by the Pathways Alliance, a consortium of six oil-sands producers, is expected to be included in the list.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has secured the appointment of Dawn Farrell as CEO of the Major Projects Office, a move that promises to be politically dangerous. Farrell, a veteran energy executive, has served as Smith's adviser and has experience in tough jobs such as CEO of TransAlta and the Trans Mountain pipeline. Her first task is to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney on a wish list of projects, including the $16.5-billion Alberta carbon capture and storage (CCS) project [1].

The Major Projects Office, headquartered in Calgary, is designed to accelerate regulatory approvals and financing for large new infrastructure projects. The office's first priority is to work on projects that contribute to lower carbon emissions and advance the interests of Indigenous people [2]. The CCS project, championed by the Pathways Alliance—a consortium of six oil-sands producers—is expected to be included in the list.

The appointment of Dawn Farrell is significant as she brings a wealth of experience in major energy projects. Her tenure as CEO of Trans Mountain Corp. and TransAlta Corp. has equipped her with the skills to navigate complex infrastructure projects. The Prime Minister has indicated that projects that enhance Canada's economic security and help diversify its trading partners will be prioritized [2].

Alberta's Premier faces a challenging political landscape. While the CCS project is seen as a crucial step towards reducing carbon emissions, it also comes with significant costs and potential delays. The opposition and rural voters may express concerns over the project's cost increases and missed deadlines. Premier Smith will need to manage these political risks while pushing for the project's approval.

The appointment of Dawn Farrell marks an opportunity for Alberta and Canada to advance major infrastructure projects. Her experience in energy and infrastructure development will be crucial in navigating the complexities of the CCS project and other large-scale initiatives. For Premier Smith, the challenge will be to keep her caucus in line and make a bold commitment to carbon capture while mitigating political risks [1].

References:
[1] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-albertas-premier-needs-to-keep-backing-carbon-capture-as-nation/
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/carney-taps-ex-trans-mountain-ceo-to-lead-major-projects-office