This editorial is far too kind, suggesting there was any reason unrelated to politics for this decision; it was all politics. Energy East was cancelled for one overarching reason; the current federal government has made it plain that it doesn't like the oil industry. Gerald Butts is on record (readily available on Youtube) stating "some of that oil will have to stay in the ground". Hence the over-regulation (new NEB rules) re upstream and downstream emissions. Had they somehow gotten past that after a few years, something else would have been thrown in their way. TRP saw the writing on the wall; this government has no use for us, so we're going to cut our losses and get out.