Markham on Energy

Responding to the Newfie Windbag: Rex Murphy wrong about social licence, energy politics

Markham on Energy

Rex Murphy is captured. A boot licker. A sycophant who steps ‘n fetches for the master – Hislop A principle of media punditry is – or used to be and should remain – that complex issues be explained in the simplest and most insightful way possible. Being sesquipedalian is verboten. So we turn to Rex Murphy, […]

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What can technology adoption theory tell us about United Conservative Party energy politics?

Markham on Energy

PC members appear to be Early to Late Majority Adopters, Wildrose are Laggards. Can they get along in the United Conservative Party? The Wildrose Party and PCs agreed Thursday to create a new political organization – the United Conservative Party (UCP) – they hope will bring down the Rachel Notley NDP in 2019. Energy and climate policies will

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‘Premier Horgan’ can’t stop construction of Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline

Markham on Energy

Trans Mountain Expansion is a done deal, construction like to start in Sept. Can a BC NDP minority government hinder or stop construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline? Some British Columbia politicians think so, some ill-informed pundits also think so, but the opinion of scholars is that the Canadian Constitution and 60 years of

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NEB ‘modernization’ a huge boost to Alberta pipeline ambitions

Markham on Energy

Alberta oil sands is only source of tax revenue that can eliminate Trudeau government budget deficits If the Canadian Government accepts the recommendations of the expert panel on modernizing the National Energy Board, Alberta will be given a gift of priceless value: As much new pipeline capacity as it can ever need or use. Why? Follow

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3-year timeline for pipeline reviews, more public and indigenous input – NEB modernization report

Markham on Energy

Expert panel recommendations are top to bottom reworking of energy infrastructure assessment process After years of complaints from First Nations and eco-activists that the National Energy Board was biased toward the energy industry, the Canadian government released an expert panel report Monday designed to “modernize” the national energy regulator. The oil and gas industry has

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Dave Collyer explains why Alberta oil/gas must join global consensus on climate change

Markham on Energy

Part 1 of a fascinating interview with Dave Collyer, who has sobering advice for Alberta oil/gas industry “When it comes to carbon, the horse has bolted the barn.” That’s how Dave Collyer, former president of the Canadian Assoc. of Petroleum Producers, begins our interview. Collyer is a bit of a maverick in politically insular Alberta,

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Fact checking Drew Barnes: Ain’t no sunshine in that man’s talking points

Markham on Energy

Nothing Drew Barnes said in Thursday’s Question Period is accurate, knowledgeable, or insightful Drew Barnes is the Wildrose energy critic, which is a pretty busy job given the size of the Alberta oil patch and the aggressive new energy and climate policies of the Rachel Notley NDP government. A reader sent me a Hansard link to

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Dear God, please save the Alberta energy industry from engineers, lawyers, economists and accountants

Markham on Energy

Advice to Alberta energy leaders: Better policy ideas, better politics, stop saying stupid stuff in public, emulate Dave Collyer Are you familiar with the expert fallacy? An example is the medical doctor who thinks that because he’s a smart guy, has deep technical expertise, and works in the healthcare system that he knows all about health policy.

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Christy Clark election squeaker no threat to Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline – political scientist

Markham on Energy

Clark could still win a majority, but even in a Liberal minority government Greens have policy priorities other than Trans Mountain Expansion British Columbians woke up not entirely sure who their next premier will be now that Christy Clark may have lost her majority last night, garnering 43 seats, one short. Albertans woke up wondering

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