Markham on Energy

Alberta oil sands advisory group illustrates new political consensus on energy, climate

Markham on Energy

Co-existence of climate mitigation and oil sands development will be the new norm for many decades Critics of the new Alberta Oil Sands Advisory Group are missing a key point: mixing environmentalists with industry representatives perfectly reflects the NDP approach to climate and energy strategy. Rachel Notley’s government, like the Justin Trudeau Liberals in Ottawa, is working […]

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TransCanada has ‘credible NAFTA case’ against Obama Administration for rejecting Keystone XL

Markham on Energy

Interesting issue is Obama Administration’s need to address perceptions of USA as committed to fighting climate change – Kronby When President Barack Obama rejected TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline proposal last year, he probably expected some sort of backlash from the company. On June 26 TransCanada filed a NAFTA application seeking $15 billion in expenses and damages. TransCanada

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Has British Columbia already granted ‘social license’ for Kinder Morgan pipeline?

Markham on Energy

41% of BC respondents support approval of Kinder Morgan pipeline, 34% are opposed Get ready for a new pipeline, British Columbia, because a recent poll may have removed the last impediment to building the Kinder Morgan project. There are many arguments against the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline, but one of the most important has always been that

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Can 66 Tcf of Mancos Shale natural gas power a Western US manufacturing Renaissance?

Markham on Energy

Industry concerned federal regulations stifling natural gas production, manufacturing opportunities in Mancos Shale Now that natural gas reserve estimates for the Mancos Shale in the Piceance Basin of Colorado have been revised dramatically upwards to 66 trillion cubic feet, is it fair to ask if the Mancos will benefit the American economy in the same way as the

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Portland school board’s ban of climate dissent in textbooks is wrong

Markham on Energy

“This action by Oregon teaches [students] that scientific knowledge derives from politics. – Dr. Judith Curry A recent decision by the Portland, Oregon public school board to ban discussion of climate change opposition in textbooks is part of the same environmental movement strategy that has brought us #Exxonknew. And they’re both wrong. Thanks to the National Coalition Against Censorship,

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Permian Basin veterans cautiously optimistic about beginning of recovery

Markham on Energy

Permian Basin leaders like EOG, Pioneer ready to resume drilling, smaller companies more cautious After a year and a half of tough times, the Permian Basin – the world’s most prolific shale basin – is showing signs of life again, but oil patch veterans say producers will be cautious until prices stabilize. Mike Starkey is the

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Canada already global renewable energy leader, little future for wind and solar

Canada, Markham on Energy

Canadian wind/solar generation will rise from 5.2% to 7% by 2020, growth remains flat from 2020 to 2040 Why all the fuss about renewable energy in Canada? A new report from the national regulator shows that Canada already gets over 80 per cent of its electricity from low-GHG emitting generation and that percentage will increase in

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Donald Trump finally addresses American energy policy…and it’s not all bad

Markham on Energy

Expect more moderation once Trump sews up the nomination and begins the general election campaign Donald Trump delivered the first energy policy speech since he began running for the Republican nomination. The biggest surprise is that there weren’t many surprises, but there are a few questions. Keystone XL pipeline Trump says he wants the 830,000

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$14,000 subsidy for copycat electric vehicles is just stupid policy

Markham on Energy

Modern autos are pretty much perfected, trying to replace them with copycat EVs will fail. EV subsidies should solve real world issues Last week the Canadian province of Ontario introduced huge electric vehicle subsidies, up to $14,000 as part of an ambitious new climate change strategy. Big mistake. Why? You can read previous columns about

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