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Some Dear Readers have inquired about our travels. While we always devote hours keeping NGP current — no matter where we are — we do not deny opportunities for consulting, photography, general writing projects and a little personal enjoyment. Last Friday, here in Cuenca, Ecuador, we went to a nearby 'volcanic spa' after updating our pipeline projects and wrote about it on Facebook last Saturday. Here is a glimpse. Enjoy your weekend! -dh
| Calgary Herald by Mario Toneguzzi. A bright outlook for Alberta’s economy is being haunted by pipeline risks, says a new report released Thursday by the Conference Board of Canada. Alberta’s economy is forecast to grow more quickly than any other province in 2014, said the report, but the lack of pipeline development continues to present a significant downside risk to the forecast. |
One of the most egregious examples is the EPA attempting to stop a lawful resource development project — on validly held Alaska state land leases — before that project had filed even the first permit that would initiate the regulatory process, due process (i.e. rule-of-law process). Today, we have the latest status on a related matter, wherein environmental allies are using another technique to end-run the regulatory process.
| For other updates, see latest issue: Mining North of 60. |
We are pleased to note that the court system (i.e. at least, the Alaska Superior Court) seems not to be drinking the anti-rule-of-law cool-aid being imbibed by the federal administration, as reported below by the Pebble Project. -dh
The Pebble Limited Partnership issued the following statement regarding a decision in Alaska Superior Court upholding the legal claims raised by PLP and the State of Alaska regarding the legality and constitutionality of the so-called Save Our Salmon Initiative from 2011:
“We are pleased that the court agreed with our position that this was an improper and unlawful ballot measure. It is unfortunate that these issues could not have been sorted out before the initiative was placed in front of voters as there were significant resources expended in the campaign by both sides that could have gone to more productive uses in the Borough.
“The ruling says that the Alaska Legislature granted state agencies, notably the Department of Natural Resources, the comprehensive authority over mineral exploration, permitting, and development. The decision holds up the sanctity of the State of Alaska’s robust permitting process, one that has strict environmental standards for fish, water, and wildlife. This ruling will assure that permitting decisions are made through the state’s comprehensive process, which includes ample opportunity for input from local people as well as stakeholders throughout the state. In contrast, the SOS initiative had no provisions for public input or public process.
“Alaska's mineral wealth, like its oil and gas resources, is an asset for all Alaskans. The court’s decision assures that permitting decisions will continue to include views from around the state.”
Those interested can download the 29 page court decision here.
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Yesterday (3-14-14) was a long but blissful day.
Thursday night I was up until almost midnight writing and editing photographs.
A few hours later, at 4:30, my Coo-Coo-Bird Iphone alarm rousted me from near REM slumber. I exercised, showered, dressed, made a cup of Instant Starbucks (usually, while at Casa San Sebastian in Ecuador I enjoy ground up, dark oily coffee beans from Loja, south of here), and loaded two backpacks. One had a change of clothes, sandals and swim suit and the other protected my Nikon and lenses. I made a few www.northerngaspipelines.com updates and ran out the door to a waiting taxi on Calle Simon Bolivar.
My "brother" and taxi driver friend, Luis Rivadenetra, met me down front on the sidewalk at 5:30. Our plan was to be at the gate of Piedra de Agua at precisely 6 a.m. when they opened so that I could photograph this unique volcanic, mineral water/mud spa during the sunrise, golden hour.
I'll be writing more on this and other photo assignments elsewhere; suffice to say, amid photo sessions I treated myself to mudbaths, mineral pools, steam cabinets, etc.
For a person as tired as I was, it was truly a blissful experience which I can now recommend to anyone visiting this luscious part of God's green earth!
Late in the afternoon, and 450 photo images later, Luis met me in the reception area and we had a nice trip home, down the winding avenues.
Today the writing and photo editing continue with church on the schedule for tomorrow, http://thegatheringec.com/.
Meanwhile, Nancy is repairing well from a procedure she had done on her wrist Friday in Anchorage and Billy is moving a foot of snow off the driveway. As Nancy said in an email this morning, "Extremes in both locations, nice!"
It's 7 p.m., EST here. With a great family, a long, blissful day yesterday, good work today and a gathering of praise tomorrow, one must be thankful.
P.S. Here is a Gringo Post report we wrote for those following Ecuadorian opportunities from their own perches around the world: http://gringopost.blogspot.com/2014/03/recommendation-for-andean-spa-local.html— at http://www.piedradeagua.com.ec/
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