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Leave action on climate policy to provinces, B.C. tells Ottawa
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on March 7th, 2015
Globe and Mail: British Columbia Premier Christy Clark is telling Ottawa to refrain from imposing any carbon emissions regulations that would hinder growth in the energy sector, and to leave leadership on climate policy to the provinces.
In a speech to a conservative gathering in Ottawa, the Premier said on Friday that resource development is crucial to Canada's economic success, but must be accompanied by credible environmental protection to win public support.
Ms. Clark told reporters that Ottawa's role...
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Canada sticks to line on oil sands at UN climate summit
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on December 6th, 2014
Globe and Mail: Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq heads to the United Nations climate summit this weekend with no new targets and no commitment to action on Canada's fastest growing source of greenhouse gases in the oil sands, but with a pledge to crack down on a little-known chemical that represents a tiny portion of this country's emissions.
Ms. Aglukkaq will join global environment ministers in Lima next week as negotiators attempt to reach a draft agreement that would commit countries to aggressive action...
Keystone XL ‘Not in Canada’s Best Interests,’ NDP Says
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on November 8th, 2013
Globe and Mail: NDP energy critic Peter Julian led the debate on an opposition motion, saying the oil-sands pipeline - which will ship bitumen to the U.S. Gulf Coast for processing - represents yet-another example of Canada failing to extract maximum economic benefits from its resources. The Liberals have joined the Harper government in supporting the Keystone XL project.
"We are simply giving away a resource without putting in place the smart economic policies that allow for the value-added jobs that need to...
Canada: TransCanada: Energy East Oil Pipeline to Create 2,000 Jobs
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on September 10th, 2013
Globe and Mail: TransCanada Corp. is promoting its Energy East pipeline project to Canadians with a promise that it will create thousands of jobs across the country and pour billions of dollars into government coffers.
On Tuesday, the company released a Deloitte & Touche LLP study on the economic impact of the $12-billion pipeline, which would bring about 1.1 million barrels a day of Western Canadian crude to refineries and export terminals in Quebec and New Brunswick. As part of its effort to woo those in the...
Where oil meets water: The final stop for Energy East pipeline
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on September 2nd, 2013
Globe and Mail: On a point of land jutting into the open waters of the fabled Bay of Fundy, Canada’s long-sought ambition to become a global oil exporter is coming into focus.
Here at Mispec Point, Irving Oil Ltd. and TransCanada Corp. plan to build a $300-million, deep-water marine terminal that would give Western Canadian crude producers their highly coveted direct access to world markets.
Currently, the industrialized tip of the wooded point serves as a hub for Canada’s energy imports.
It is home to...
Activists Challenge Law That Limits Public Criticism of Oil Sands Projects
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on August 14th, 2013
Globe and Mail: Environmental activists have launched a suit in the Federal Court of Canada to overturn federal legislation that limits their ability to oppose proposed pipeline projects at regulatory hearings.
In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, ForestEthics Advocacy and an activist named Donna Sinclair have asked the court to strike down provisions of the National Energy Board Act - passed as amendments in last year's omnibus budget bill - that they say unreasonably restrict public comment on project proposals.
The...
Aglukkaq takes environment post as Ottawa seeks to win over First Nations, U.S. on resource projects
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on July 15th, 2013
Globe and Mail: Prime Minister Stephen Harper has moved his cabinet's lone aboriginal minister into the sensitive portfolio of Environment as the government works to win crucial First Nations' support for new pipelines and other resource-development projects.
In the shuffle announced on Monday, Mr. Harper demoted former broadcaster Peter Kent to the back benches and appointed health minister Leona Aglukkaq to the critical post, where one of her first jobs will be to finalize long-promised federal regulations...
Oil Giant Sets Sights on Getting Tar Sands Crude to Gulf Coast
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on March 29th, 2013
Globe and Mail: France's Total SA says current market conditions favour processing oil sands crude on the U.S. Gulf Coast rather than building an $11.6-billion upgrader in Alberta, as the company took a $1.65-billion (U.S.) loss on its 49-per-cent stake in the cancelled Voyageur project.
Total announced the writedown a day after its partner, Suncor Energy Inc., announced the cancellation of the Voyageur project. Suncor - Canada's largest oil-sands producers - said market conditions have changed dramatically in...
U.S. Defense Department Stands by Its Oil Sands Fuel
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on March 27th, 2013
Globe and Mail: The U.S. Defence Department has rebuffed an environmentalist campaign to stop it from using fuel processed from oil sands crude, saying there would be no environmental benefit and such a move would be impractical.
In a decision posted on the U.S. federal register last week, the department said its use of products from the oil sands had "no significant impact" on the environment, and therefore did not require it to change its procurement practices. The Defence Logistical Agency purchased $12.6-billion...
Canada: Oliver touts tougher climate rules on pro-Keystone tour
Posted by Globe and Mail: Shawn Mccarthy on March 7th, 2013
Globe and Mail: Canada will soon have some of the toughest climate regulations among oil and gas exporting countries, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said Wednesday as he completed a U.S. visit aimed at boosting support for the embattled Keystone XL pipeline.
In a speech at an industry conference in Houston on Wednesday, Mr. Oliver sought to repair Canada's battered reputation as an environmental outlier, arguing that it is, in fact, a leader among oil-producing countries.
"Canada is the largest supplier...