The Strategists on how Alberta could trade a pipeline for B.C. electricity

Media reports say talks between B.C. and Alberta are underway about the possibility of constructing a pipeline to the West Coast on the condition that Alberta would purchase a long-term contract to buy clean electricity from the coastal province.

• Alberta explores electricity-for-pipeline access trade deal with B.C.

Premier Rachel Notley was quoted in the Globe and Mail as saying she no longer opposes the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline. She also talked up Kinder Morgan's proposed twinning of the Trans Mountain line.

The interprovincial deal would see Alberta purchasing electricity from a massive hydroelectric dam in exchange for the facilitation of a pipeline to the West Coast.

If such a deal moves ahead, that would mean big things for both provinces, The Strategists say.

"This is a pretty big deal," said Zain Velji.

"From my perspective, she's ultimately putting together a multimodal strategy. She knows revenues are down, she knows that 2019 and its election are all going to be about market access."

Velji said this would allow the premier to open the conversation about revenues and even a provincial sales tax.

• No sales tax before 2019, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley 'unequivocally' asserts

Strategist Corey Hogan says the only way for market access to be solved by 2019 would be the Northern Gateway pipeline, as it's so far the only one that's been approved by the National Energy Board.

"This is a great thing for Alberta," said Stephen Carter, who said Notley appears to be playing the pipeline "game" right.

"We've finally got someone who can stand up to Christy Clark and say, 'We will do a deal, but we're going to do a deal on our terms.'"

With Alberta moving to phase out coal, the province will need cheap, clean electricity, Carter added.