7-20-16 Canadian Libs Want It Both Ways

Canadian Libs Want It Both Ways: Grudgingly Support Downstream Pipelines by Enthusiastically Increasing Carbon Costs Upstream and Pipeline “Conditions”. This way, climate change pols can get tax money flowing from pipelines while piously defending them by paying homage to the climate change emission gods — and collecting even more penalty taxes to boot. What’s the problem; government’s got to make a living, too. And you wouldn’t want to cut the helpful bureaucracy, right? -dh

Notley says slow Canadian economic growth part of NDP’s case for pipelines

Calgary Herald by James Wood. Premier Rachel Notley says a slowing Canadian economy will be a key part of her message to her fellow premiers as she pitches the need to get new pipeline projects built.

Notley left Tuesday for Whitehorse for the annual meeting of the Council of the Federation, where energy will once again be a major item on the agenda.

The NDP government is keen to see pipeline projects built to open new markets — and win a better price — for Alberta oilsands crude, which would give a boost to government coffers and a provincial economy battered by slumping oil prices.

Speaking to reporters, Notley said the economic pinch from the lack of market access is having an impact across Canada.

“What we’ve said for the last year — that everyone was going to start feeling this — is exactly what’s happening and yet again demonstrates why we need to strengthen the efficiency and co-ordination and the sophistication of our energy industry, which includes…. Read full story here.

Notley takes high-risk, high-reward approach to oil

Calgary Herald by Johathan Hayward. Given that the Notley government is in many ways banking on a recovery in natural resource revenue, it’s highly unlikely that they’re simultaneously hatching a scheme to sabotage the oil and gas industry.

It may prove to be the case that their policies are detrimental to the industry and ultimately make Alberta less competitive. By the time the next provincial election rolls around, Albertans should have sufficient evidence as to whether that is the case.

At the core of Premier Notley’s approach is a belief that Alberta oil suffers from a perception problem and that this creates a barrier to future growth and prosperity. As such, her government is gambling it can correct this perception problem and reduce the political impediments to development and exports.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward approach — one that’s fraught with political….

The membership of the OSAG was deliberately designed to include a variety of perspectives: industry, environmentalists, and aboriginal groups. But of course, you’re unlikely to find many prominent environmentalists who are enthusiastic about the oilsands. Nonetheless, … recruiting York University professor and outspoken oilsands critic Tzeporah Berman to serve as OSAG co-chair….

Berman once famously compared the oilsands to J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional “Mordor.” Furthermore, she is a signatory to the radical Leap Manifesto … and has served in prominent roles in both Greenpeace and Forest Ethics, both of which….

Frankly, it’s hard to see what Tzeporah Berman has to offer with regard to future oilsands …. Read more here.

About the Author: wpnorthern

Dave Harbour, publisher of Northern Gas Pipelines, is a former Chairman of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, a Commissioner Emeritus of NARUC, NARUC's Official Representative to IOGCC and Vice Chairman of NARUC's Gas Committee. He served as Gas Committee Chairman of the Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners. He also served as commissioner of the Anchorage Bicentennial Commission and the Anchorage Heritage Land Bank Commission. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree: English, at Colorado State University, a Master of Science Degree: Communications-Journalism at Murray State University and graduated from Utility Regulatory School for Commissioners at Michigan State University. He served as a Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Alaska Pacific University, taught bank marketing classes at the University of Alaska and was an English teacher at Los Alamos High School. Harbour served in ranks of Private - Captain during a 4-year assignment with the Army in Korea, Idaho, Georgia and Fort Meade and received the Meritorious Service Medal among other commendations. Harbour is also a past Chairman of the Alaska Council on Economic Education, the Alaska Oil & Gas Association Government Affairs Committee, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the Export Council of Alaska and the Department of Commerce's District Export Council. He is a past President of the Alaska Press Club, American Bald Eagle Foundation, Consumer Energy Alliance-Alaska and Common Sense for Alaska. Harbour was instrumental in founding the American Bald Eagle Research Institute (UAS), the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, the Downtown Anchorage Business Partnership, and Arctic Power. He also served as CEO of several small Alaska organizations, including the Anchorage Parking Authority and Action Security, Inc. Harbour is also Chairman Emeritus of the Alaska Oil & Gas Congress. Harbour's wife, Nancy, is a professional, performing arts administrator and his three boys, Todd, Benjamin and William work in the fields of environmental management, energy marketing and medicine.