Canadian Energy Strategy - Selected Excerpts
By: David Yager, National Leader Oilfield Services
Originally published in MNP's Oilfield Service News - July 21st, 2015
There was major media attention July 17 and 18 on the signing of a Canadian Energy Strategy (CES) by Canada’s 10 premiers in St. Johns, NL. Years in the making, this was seen as a major breakthrough for a concept originally spearheaded by former Alberta Premier Alison Redford in 2012.
Unfortunately, it is long on platitudes and short on specifics. Even Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, a signatory, admitted many challenges remained to gaining approval for export pipelines like Energy East. However, the document does at least mention pipelines four times in 40 pages which could be considered progress.
Following are the main points summarizing what CES is intended to accomplish and how. One of the clear thrusts is Canada getting out of the hydrocarbon fuel business at some point in the future without details on when, how or cost. Carbon taxes and carbon capture and storage are listed as key methods.
For workers and managers wondering how to get through the rest of 2015 and 2016, CES provides no assistance.
OBJECTIVES
A Canadian Energy Strategy should:
• Reflect the shared values of Canadians.
• Strengthen our economy and create jobs.
• Identify opportunities to develop, transport, and transmit energy, in accordance with provincial-territorial jurisdiction.
• Maintain the highest degree of environmental safeguards and protection, including by addressing climate change, climate resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.
• Promote a competitive economy and robust research and technology sector that can contribute to the breadth of Canada’s energy and environmental opportunities and responsibilities.
• Promote export of energy, expertise, and innovation.
• Support a diverse range of energy assets.
• Foster the development of pan-Canadian, regional, and bilateral agreements on energy development, transportation, and transmission.
PRINCIPLES
Collaboration and Transparency
• Seek intergovernmental collaboration on areas of mutual interest involving energy resources, energy conservation, and technologies to optimize the opportunities and strengths of each province and territory.
• Collaborate and encourage co-operation, participation, and partnership with other governments and key stakeholders.
• Respect the Aboriginal and treaty rights that are recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.18
• Report back to Canada’s Premiers on progress.
Climate Change and Social and Environmental Responsibility
• Addressing climate change and moving towards a lower carbon economy.
• Recognize the importance of environmentally and socially responsible energy development, transportation systems, and enabling technologies to support conservation, efficiency, and effectiveness in the use of energy resources.
• Transition to a lower-carbon economy through appropriate initiatives, such as carbon pricing, carbon capture and storage and other technological innovations, while meeting current and future energy needs.
Energy Security and Stability
• Ensure a secure supply of energy for all Canadians through open, non-discriminatory and safe transportation and transmission of energy resources.
• Ensure open and non-discriminatory access to electricity transmission systems, consistent with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Open Access Rules.
• Maintain effective, efficient and transparent regulations that support responsible energy development and maintains the highest standards of environmental assessment and management.
• Increase and diversify the supply and distribution of clean as well as low carbon energy.
Originally published in MNP's Oilfield Service News - July 21st, 2015
There was major media attention July 17 and 18 on the signing of a Canadian Energy Strategy (CES) by Canada’s 10 premiers in St. Johns, NL. Years in the making, this was seen as a major breakthrough for a concept originally spearheaded by former Alberta Premier Alison Redford in 2012.
Unfortunately, it is long on platitudes and short on specifics. Even Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, a signatory, admitted many challenges remained to gaining approval for export pipelines like Energy East. However, the document does at least mention pipelines four times in 40 pages which could be considered progress.
Following are the main points summarizing what CES is intended to accomplish and how. One of the clear thrusts is Canada getting out of the hydrocarbon fuel business at some point in the future without details on when, how or cost. Carbon taxes and carbon capture and storage are listed as key methods.
For workers and managers wondering how to get through the rest of 2015 and 2016, CES provides no assistance.
OBJECTIVES
A Canadian Energy Strategy should:
• Reflect the shared values of Canadians.
• Strengthen our economy and create jobs.
• Identify opportunities to develop, transport, and transmit energy, in accordance with provincial-territorial jurisdiction.
• Maintain the highest degree of environmental safeguards and protection, including by addressing climate change, climate resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.
• Promote a competitive economy and robust research and technology sector that can contribute to the breadth of Canada’s energy and environmental opportunities and responsibilities.
• Promote export of energy, expertise, and innovation.
• Support a diverse range of energy assets.
• Foster the development of pan-Canadian, regional, and bilateral agreements on energy development, transportation, and transmission.
PRINCIPLES
Collaboration and Transparency
• Seek intergovernmental collaboration on areas of mutual interest involving energy resources, energy conservation, and technologies to optimize the opportunities and strengths of each province and territory.
• Collaborate and encourage co-operation, participation, and partnership with other governments and key stakeholders.
• Respect the Aboriginal and treaty rights that are recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.18
• Report back to Canada’s Premiers on progress.
Climate Change and Social and Environmental Responsibility
• Addressing climate change and moving towards a lower carbon economy.
• Recognize the importance of environmentally and socially responsible energy development, transportation systems, and enabling technologies to support conservation, efficiency, and effectiveness in the use of energy resources.
• Transition to a lower-carbon economy through appropriate initiatives, such as carbon pricing, carbon capture and storage and other technological innovations, while meeting current and future energy needs.
Energy Security and Stability
• Ensure a secure supply of energy for all Canadians through open, non-discriminatory and safe transportation and transmission of energy resources.
• Ensure open and non-discriminatory access to electricity transmission systems, consistent with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Open Access Rules.
• Maintain effective, efficient and transparent regulations that support responsible energy development and maintains the highest standards of environmental assessment and management.
• Increase and diversify the supply and distribution of clean as well as low carbon energy.
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