Markham on Energy

Another take on electric vehicles and the future of oil (take note Alberta, Texas)

Markham on Energy

Science and data suggest electric vehicles will diffuse slowly, affect oil demand gradually Laszlo Varro is the chief economist of the International Energy Agency. Safe to assume he has a pretty clear view of the big picture when it comes to energy technology developments. Here’s what he had to say about EVs and the future of […]

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Memo to Bill McKibben: Hands off the Alberta oil sands, bub!

Markham on Energy

Alberta, oil sands, PM Trudeau don’t deserve harsh words from self-righteous, misguided eco-activist As Ivanka Trump and her Big Oil allies try to persuade her daddy not to leave the Paris Climate Accord, Canada is grappling with how to meet its own aggressive emission-reduction targets. No surprise, environmental critics think the Alberta oil sands are

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Alberta oil sands economics much better than BC pipeline opponents allege

Markham on Energy

Oil sands costs down/productivity up, which drives higher volumes, increases need for new pipelines When oil prices collapsed in late 2014, oil producers did what they always do in such circumstances: drove down costs in order to survive. Saudi Arabia, attempting to push American shale drillers from the market, under-estimated just how low non-OPEC companies could

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Odds are zero of 3 new LNG plants ‘under construction’ in BC by 2020

Markham on Energy

Too many factors – low prices, over-supply, more nimble competitors – working against Christy Clark Remember 2013 when the promise of billions in tax revenue from LNG development – and a job in every tradesperson’s pot – helped Christy Clark come from behind to whip Adrian Dix and the NDP? LNG is back for an encore

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You’ll be SHOCKED (not really) by the real reason ConocoPhillips “fled” Alberta

Markham on Energy

Conoco’s sale of oil sands, natural gas assets to Cenovus motivated by business concerns, not policy A few weeks ago I wrote a column about how the purchase of $32 billion in oil sands assets by Cenovus and CNRL was a “great news” story for the Alberta energy sector, a real coming of age for

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Should Alberta oil workers be tested on the job for marijuana use?

Markham on Energy

Readers survey results, comments illustrate complexity of workplace marijuana testing issue Roughnecks in the California or Texas oil patch fully expect to be occasionally called into the boss’ office and asked to pee in a cup. Both states allow random drug testing of employees. Canada does not. But with marijuana legalization around the corner, a University

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Li-ion battery storage key for utilities adopting wind and solar power

Markham on Energy

Battery storage improves cost and energy density by about 3% annually – Tim Grejtak, Lux As the global economy electrifies and intermittent renewables gain marketshare, power utilities are increasingly turning to battery storage to stabilize their grids. But which battery storage technologies hold the most promise? A new study from Lux Research says lithium-ion will dominate in the short-term,

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Energy efficiency can help Alberta meet GHG reduction targets: Interview with Monica Curtis

Markham on Energy

Energy Efficiency Alberta will work with consumers, businesses, and oil and gas sector to reduce energy use Three decades ago, Amory Lovins introduced the idea of the “negawatt” – a unit of energy saved by using energy more efficiently that could actually be traded in the marketplace like any commodity. The negawatt hasn’t caught on

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Eco-activists crank up pressure on banks financing Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline

Markham on Energy

Equator Principles state banks shouldn’t finance projects opposed by indigenous groups like BC First Nations The North American oil and gas industry missed the significance of the Standing Rock opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline, which is only becoming obvious now as eco-activist groups ramp up the next campaign – against British Columbia’s Trans Mountain Expansion

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