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Showing posts from April, 2018

In pursuit of sensible climate policy, one country encounters serious challenges to its approach

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By: Resource Works Germany has gone from being a global model for climate change to an emissions-spewing "problem child". But for those with the courage to accept the challenge, solutions exist. Germany’s ambitious goal to shift from fossil fuels and nuclear power to renewable energy made the country the poster child for energy transition over the past few years. The "Energiewende" program represented Germany’s bid to become carbon-neutral by the middle of the 21st century and it won strong public and political support, with international green energy advocates holding it up as a model for industrialized nations to reduce their carbon footprints. A decade later, carbon dioxide emissions in Germany are virtually unchanged. According to a March 23, 2018 report in Upstream, "the problem is due in large part to the fact that Germany still burns large amounts of coal — both domestic lignite, or brown coal, and imported hard coal — to generate a la
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    SENATE Committee HEARING April 26, 2018 Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the panel members for inviting Energy Safety Canada to participate in this important hearing. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you about the workplace safety implications of legalized cannabis. As the national safety association for the oil and gas industry, Energy Safety Canada advocates for worker health and safety. We are committed to the safety of our workers and the communities where we operate. The national oil and gas industry is inherently safety-sensitive given the materials and equipment used. Different components of the industry, including storage, transportation, drilling and processing all pose significant safety risks. Further, given the flammable nature of natural gas and oil, risks are increased in the event of a leak or spill. Operations are often located in remote or northern locations. Workers are mobile and travel from one s

Confidence in Canada: Open Letter

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  April 12, 2018 The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau and Cabinet Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 cc: Premier John Horgan and Cabinet Premier Rachel Notley and Cabinet Sent via email Subject: Open Letter Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Cabinet, Earlier this week Kinder Morgan announced its intention to suspend all non-essential spending on the federally and provincially approved Trans Mountain Pipeline project citing “unquantifiable risk” as a result of the continuing uncertainty created by the B.C. government. In response we are taking the unusual step to come together and call upon you to convene a meeting without delay with the Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta to resolve the impasse on the Trans Mountain Pipeline project and to clear the way for this project to proceed in the national interest. Regrettably, this may not be enough. The continued obstructionist posit

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development - March 27, 2018.

By: Chris Bloomer - President and CEO - CEPA (Pipeline Association) PART 1 – STATE OF THE UNION The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association appreciates the opportunity to speak to Bill C-69.   I am here to talk about this bill today.   But, I have to start by giving you a brief “State of the Union” for the energy sector.   It is not good news.   In the two years leading up to this bill you can pick your poison: Policies including a tanker moratorium off of British Columbia’s northern coastline.   Proposed methane emission reduction regulations.   Clean fuel standards.   Provincial GHG emissions regulations.   B.C.’s restrictions on transporting bitumen.   A lack of clarity regarding the government’s position on the implementation of UNDRIP and FPIC.   And fierce competition from energy-supportive policies in the United States.   The cumulative effect of these policies has significantly weakened investor confidence in Canada.   It is seriously challenging the energy sector