Energy & Utilities Roundup: Market Talk

The latest Market Talks covering Energy and Utilities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

1643 ET – Canada’s Resources Minister Tim Hodgson says federal officials and the oil-rich province of Alberta are closing in on a memorandum of understanding that could lead to a new crude-carrying pipeline to the Pacific Coast. Hodgson’s remarks to lawmakers build upon PM Mark Carney’s optimism on such a pact about two weeks ago. A MOU is not a binding legal document, but instead sets out terms of a possible agreement down the road. “I think we are getting close to a place … where that gets done,” Hodgson says. The MOU would address concerns from Alberta that the government’s environmental rules – such as a ban on oil-tanker traffic along the northern Pacific Coast, and a cap on oil-and-gas carbon emissions – are thwarting energy sector investment. (paul.vieira@wsj.com; @paulvieira)