Old Softwood Issue Resurfaces: Could Affect Alaska; Will Affect Canada

We continuously try to ‘connect the dots’ for our readers!

by

Dave Harbour

We drew attention to the US/Canadian controversy over softwood lumber trade agreement issues years ago, as it affected an Alaska to Midwest gas pipeline (8/2001, 11/2001, 3/2002, 4/2002, 5/2002, 8/2002, 11/2002, 2015)

The softwood  issue surfaces again as BC Premier Christy Clark interprets Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s remarks about NAFTA, poor trade deals and stopping illegal southern border immigration to softwood issues.

Bear in mind that socialist Canada today is mostly led by leftists who simultaneously admire the current U.S. President, support his activist climate change policies and might well receive a better softwood tariff policy under a pro-development U.S. administration.

With certain Canadian parties NOW considering an oil sands export route through Alaska, the softwood tariff issue could affect Alaska again.  And, with Alaska’s governor urging policies that negatively affect Cook Inlet’s Alaska producers, the 49th state may once again have to consider LNG imports from BC to satisfy the supply needs of Enstar Natural Gas’ Southcentral Alaska customers.

Meanwhile (i.e. see below), Alaska’s Governor has tried to buy support from Interior Alaska by facilitating, partially subsidizing and babysitting a brand spanking new natural gas distribution system requiring expedited draining of Cook Inlet gas reserves — and now you see how a bad ending for softwood negotiations could result in unpredictable tariff treatment for the import of B.C. LNG to Alaska.

The world’s parts are connected.  Canadian provinces like Alberta and B.C. and U.S. States like Alaska need to make sure their national leaders are mindful of the unintended consequences that could result from government’s mishandling of private industry trade issues.


 

Gene Therriault, is a former Alaska State Senate President, a former employee of a Fairbanks electric utility, a current employee of a state-owned investment corporation. (NGP file Photo)

Gene Therriault, is a former Alaska State Senate President, a former employee of a Fairbanks electric utility, a current employee of a state-owned investment corporation charged with creating financing, design and gas supply for a new, government-enabled utility. (NGP file Photo)

Continuing Fairbanks gas negotiations – 05/08/2016 (Login to read Full story) The Interior Energy Project team is continuing confidential negotiations over the terms for a proposed new gas supply for Fairbanks, IEP team leader Gene Therriault told the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority board on April 28. The team is working out the final details of a gas suppl….


GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE?  A new NS play? – 05/08/2016 (Full story) The huge Nanushuk oil development being planned by Armstrong Oil & Gas and Repsol in the Colville Delta area of Alaska’s North Slope marks a significant bright spot amid the current gloom of low oil prices and declining Alaska oil production. But could this particular discovery, sometimes referred t….