Oilsands Industry Backed Education

To say that the Alberta Oilsands are controversial would be an understatements.  If you listen to arguments of environmentalists the "doom and gloom" scenario comes to mind.  Their position, despite evidence to the contrary, is that the development of the oilsands would be the end of the planet.

Proponents of oilsands developments maintain that you can develop the oilsands, take care of the environment and provide the engine for economic growth in Canada.  This is also the position of the Federal and Alberta government. 

A story published in The Province questions the involvement of industry in an industry-funded program that offers high school teachers a six-day trip to Fort McMurray to "experience Alberta's oilsands" is being expanded across the country.

Operators inside the education system say that they are trying to present a balanced program, some anti-oil sands activists maintain that informing educators about controversial developments shouldn't be left to those with most to gain from them.

 

"It's always billed as being free, but what's being sold is a positive image of an industry that's controversial," said Andrew Hodgkins, a University of Alberta researcher who has published on the issue of corporate involvement in education.

While there may be some reason for concern, the public, including teachers, are bombarded daily with anti-oil sands propaganda.   You can hardly switch to CBC Newsworld or open a newspaper that doesn't  have anything negative to say about Oilsands development.

With the controversy over the past few months with the Northern Gateway Pipeline, which would move Alberta crude from Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia and the XL Keystone Pipeline from Alberta to Port Arthur, Texas, there have been plenty opposition and negative media reports on this issue. 

Teachers getting exposure to both sides of this controversial issue can only be applauded.  One has to give enough credit to the intelligence of our teachers to be capable to find a balanced approach to the curriculum. 

The web is a great source to find the different views on oilsands production.  One can say with confidence that the cons much outweigh the pros on this issue.  While there may be some propaganda in favour of the industry in this program, at the least it gives teachers a first hand look at what is going on in Fort McMurray.  In fact, it is highly recommended that the Leader of the Official Opposition, Thomas Mulcair attend one of these sessions. 

The Politics of Oil - Green Energy Alternatives

The new buzz word in the green movement is "sustainable energy.  According to anti-oil sands lobbyists oil is evil and stopping the development of the Alberta oilsands will avert a global disaster.  The process has been politicized both in the United States and Canada.

The  XL Keystone Pipeline, was put on hold earlier this year by President Obama claiming environmental concerns, specifically the Nebraska Sandhills.  Congress attempted to force the President's hand by including the approval of he pipeline in various bills, which prompted the President to reject the pipeline outright.  A Presidential permit is required when pipelines cross international borders.

Obama's rejection came after weeks of anti-oilsands protests in Washington, including high profile Hollywood celebrities.  Hollywood is a major supporter of the Obama campaign, with George Clooney  committing to raise $12 Million in a fundraiser on Thursday. 

Add to that the voice of Robert Redford, who claimed that the rejection was a spectacular blow against the oilsands and would change the world.

"The decision to shelve the proposal, gushed Hollywood activist Robert Redford, “represents a victory of historic proportions for people from throughout the pipeline path and all across America who have waged an uphill, years-long fight against one of the most nightmarish fossil fuel projects of our time.” Ethical Oil.org

In Canada, the environmental  lobby has turned up the heat on the Harper government.  The assessment and approval process for pipeline projects have been dragged out over years, with lobby groups signing up to testify in front of commissions, more often than not repeating the same testimony over and over again.   The Harper gouvernment is seeking to streamline the process by limiting the process to two years.  In its 2012/13 budget the Canadian gouvernment has included major revisions to environmental policy.  One third of the budget contains changes to environmental policy and legislation.

The gouvernment, which claims that some charities foreign money from foreign environmental groups to advocate against the oilsands, has put policies in place to take away their charity status.  To say the least the heat is on.

Thomas Mulcair, not unlike the Premiers of Quebec and Ontario, has claimed that oilsands development has ruined the manufacturing base of Central Canada due to raising the value of the Canadian Dollar.  Yet the prosperity of Alberta's and Saskatchewan's resource industry has funded the very social programs so dear to the New Democratic Party.

Alberta recently re-elected the Progressive Conservative Party under the leadership of Premier Alison Redford.  Redford has promised that she would work with the federal government and the provinces to develop a National Energy Strategy.  Significant improvements have been made over the last decade to reduce carbon emissions to bring them in line with emissions of  conventional oil production.

Green energy, such as wind and solar, are not ready for prime time and affordable alternate energy is still a few years away.  Of course environmentalists will never discuss the real estate required for solar panel farms or wind turbines nor the fact that thousands of birds get killed by wind power.  Solar power is very expensive and for now can not sufficiently provide the energy required to run a household.  As an example, an Edmonton solar company is offering to rent solar panels to home owners.  The panels, which require an initial investment of about $1000 can only provide 18-30% of actual power required.  Home owners must remain on the grid.  The savings in energy costs are minimal.  The biggest part of an electricity bill in Alberta are the riders and fees and not the actual energy used.  The lease contract is long term.

To make a long story short, whether we like it or not, oil will still be around for decades.  Sending oil to the United States and Asian markets will reduce our dependence on Middle East oil.  Coal,  which is currently used in power plants in China is a much larger emitter of carbons.

Even President Obama knows that Canada will develop the oilsands

The president made that much clear in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine. He said he had “respect” for certain anti-oil sands crusaders, like James Hansen at NASA who said approving Keystone XL would mean “game over” for the climate. But, Obama said, his decision on whether to allow the pipeline into the U.S. actually wouldn’t change a thing.

“But it’s important to understand that Canada is going to be moving forward with tar sands, regardless of what we do. That’s their national policy, they’re pursuing it,” Obama said.

Trans Canada Corp has reapplied for the approval of the XL Keystone Pipeline. Although TransCanada Corps hopes to start construction by 2013,  don't expect that approval prior to the election.   It will just not happen.

The State Department released a statement on Friday, stating that it would consider the pipeline on its merits.

"We will consider this new application on its merits," the State Department said.  "Consistent with the Executive Order, this involves consideration of many factors, including energy security, health, environmental, cultural, economic, and foreign policy concerns."

The pipeline will not only transport oil from the Alberta oilsands, but will also deliver oil from the Bakken Basen, which has oil from Mantioba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota.  The $7.6 Billion pipeline is a job creator, with high paying union jobs, provides energy security, with the volatility in the Middle East.

Trans Canada CEO,  Russ Girling, said in a statement on Friday that the pipeline would boost the U.S. economy, once completed.

"The multi-billion dollar Keystone XL pipeline project will reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil and support job growth by putting thousands of Americans to work, Keystone XL will transport U.S. crude oil from the very large Bakken supply basin in Montana and North Dakota, along with Canadian oil, to U.S. refineries," Girling said.

While there should be an "all of the above" strategy and efforts should be made to develop alternative energy, we also need to get into touch with reality.  Oil, coal and natural gas are still primarily used to produce energy and will for some time, especially in developing economies like China.  Even the often touted green Germany has had to cut back on the tempo of green energy.

Instead of demonizing the oilsands, we should continue to move ahead with the development of green alternatives, improve the environmental standards for emissions, strictly enforce them and assists developing economies like China to clean up their act on coal.

It's time to cut back on the rhetoric and get real.  This constant wrangling is counter-productive.

Alison Redford's First 45 days in Office

Alison Redford was elected by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta on October 1st and sworn in as Premier of Alberta the following Friday.  During the first ballot she came a distant third, which required a run-off election.  Gary Marr, who was the winner with 41% of the vote on the first ballot, also came first of three prospective candidates during the run off, gaining around 40% support.  Since none of the three candidates had a clear 50% majority, second choice votes were used to determine the final count.  Redford won fair and square by party rules.  IMHO this should have gone to a third ballot with the third place candidate dropping off.  In all likelihood the results would have been different.

Alison Redford really doesn't have a mandate from the electorate to make some of the the decisions she has made during the past 45 days.  She should present her platform and call a general election.  Let Albertans decide if they want to support that platform.

As soon as she got into office, Redford restored $100 Million to education, without making any adjustments to her budget.  Although she promised to do this within ten days, diligence should have been used to ensure that all other aspects are covered.   It is no surprise that whenever cuts are announced bureaucracies have difficulty in cutting in their own backyard.  Cuts are almost always carried on the backs of teachers.  At the very least the PC government should have conducted a study to see where the education funding is being spend.

Redford's second move was the approval of Bill 50, the portion that approved the Heartland Transmission  Project to the East of Sherwood Park, near Edmonton.  This action was taken despite the fact that a closer examination of the requirement for the transmission lines were needed.

The Alberta Uitilities Commission(AUC) states in its decision that the Alberta Government has taken away the Commission’s legal ability to deal with the costs of the line and whether Bill 50 lines are even needed.  The AUC emphasized in its decision that Cabinet now makes those decisions and Bill 50 prevents the Commission from turning down any Bill 50 line on the grounds that it is not needed or that it is not in the public interest.  

Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk has been speaking out regarding the transmission line and has send a letter to Premier Redford's government urging that Alberta's energy needs and costs be  reviewed before proceeding with the above  ground line.

Strathcona County's mayor has seized the opportunity to take her concerns on electricity transmission to the energy minister.
Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk has been speaking out against the Heartland Transmission project since the Alberta Utilities Commission approved the 65-kilometre above ground powerline through Strathcona County.
The line is a 500 kilovolt, double-circuit transmission line that would cover 65 kilometres from south Edmonton to the Heartland region near Fort Saskatchewan.
At a session Thursday with cabinet ministers at the Association of Municipal Districts Convention, Osinchuk renewed her call for the province to review electricity needs and costs in Alberta.
Energy Minister Ted Morton says the new line is needed, not just for the Heartland, but to power the oilsands as well.
This comes one day after Osinchuk delivered letters to MLA's on the county's plans to file an application in court to review the decision by the Alberta Utilities Commission. CTV Edmonton

Redford traveled to Washington, D.C. this week, apparently to tell Alberta's story on the XL Keystone Pipeline.   She also met with business leaders in New York City, before a final stop in Ottawa for a discussion with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

 Alberta's Premier is taking some heat on the last leg of her tour promoting the province's energy sector.  Thursday, Alison Redford criticized New Democrat M.P.'s who went to Washington, D.C. and openly opposed the Keystone XL pipeline.  Prior to her meeting with the Prime Minister, Redford told reporters that it's not appropriate for Canadian politicians to advise American decision makers and serve as political activists.Redford's words raised the ire of the opposition.  Alberta's only NDP Member of Parliament, Linda Duncan, says she was appalled to hear Redford's statement. Redford met with Stephen Harper Thursday afternoon. Along with a Canadian energy strategy, she discussed immigration policies and pushed for per capita health funding.Redford says the discussion went well but no promises were made.Source CTV

The big news from the national media tonight is that Redford  is calling for a National Energy Strategy.  You can read more about it here.

In her first 45 days in office, Redford has demonstrated that she is of the same ilk as the PC old boys club.  In essence, nothing has changed.  The idea of a provincial sales tax was floated yesterday.  The PC government quickly denied that they were even thinking of the idea.

The Wildrose Alliance, under the leadership of Danielle Smith, released the Redford files on November 21st.  In an e-mail it said:

It has been just over 45 days since Alison Redford became Premier of Alberta, and already her list of flip-flops and fumbles is staggering.

From breaking her campaign promise of introducing fixed election dates, appointing Gary Mar and Rick Orman as senior government officials without holding an open and competitive application process, her “missing in action” approach on fighting for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, and most recently, her government talking about a provincial sales tax and reintroducing health care premiums, it is clear that Premier Redford is out of touch with the views of everyday Albertans.

That's why today, we have launched The Redford Files, a website which outlines the Premier’s string of broken promises and missteps.

 The Website The Redford Files chronicles Redford's first 45 days, her flip flops and spending. It also carries a tweet from Linda Duncan, New Democratic Party, stating:

@LindaDuncanMP Linda Duncan

#yegfed # cdnpoli pleased Redford adopting federal NDP platform for public dialogue on sustainable energy future for Canadians

Without a mandate from the general public, Redford and her government should stop making life changing decisions for Albertans.   She should call a general election based on her agenda as soon as possible.

Last Leg of Keystone Pipeline May Go Ahead

TransCanada Pipelines told its investors yesterday that a critical leg of the XL Keystone Pipeline could be completed in 2012.   The plan would have to be run by the U.S. State Department.  TransCanada hopes that this portion of the pipeline could be approved, prior to approving the complete process.

Most of North America's crude now runs into a hub at Cushing, OK and the hub has been unable to keep up with the demand.  Enbridge has already announced that it will acquire 50% of the Seaway Pipeline at a cost of $1.1 Billion.  It's intention is then to reverse the flow to Texas. 

Alex Pourbaix, TransCanada's president of energy and oil pipelines, said the company is focusing on getting as much crude as possible to Gulf coast.
"The first thing that we need to do is spend a little bit of time with our shippers and see sort of where they stand," he said.
"Certainly the message we're hearing is that they would very much like to see that Cushing-to-Gulf Coast phase come in as soon as possible. So we'll take a very hard look at the commercial underpinnings for that."  CBC

The  XL Keystone Pipeline decision, which was due this year has been delayed for at least 12 to 18 months, pushing the decision past the 2012 Presidential election. 

The fact that there is a glut of oil accumulating at Cushing, OK is evidence that oil from the Alberta Oil Sands is making it to the United States and is actually creating a bottleneck at Cushing, OK.  Obviously the oil companies and pipeliners would like to ship as much oil as possible to Texas. 

It should be interesting, when and if TransCanadaCorp decides to go ahead with the last leg, what the Obama Administrations reaction will be.   The President has been accused of politicizing the decision, giving in to his environmental left base.  The delay was over the Aquafer in Nebraska, an obstacle that was already removed by the Nebraska legislature, which said it wants to alter the route in its state.  The State Departments' response has been that no decision would be made for at least 13 months. 

Will there also be an obstacle to the Cushing/Texas leg?