Energy

"To hell with Al Gore’s inconvenient truths; to purgatory with quisling scientists and their voluminous reports stating that Alberta’s tar sands—whether the oil there is blasted by natural gas, exploded by nukes, or even extracted in some fashion palatable to those wearing hemp or burlap—are an environmental disaster zone that, if exploited, will (by themselves) render null and void Canada’s commitment to Kyoto. Never mind. On that midsummer night, Harper, in search of foreign direct investment, was flush with energy, industry, and economic-growth models.

Labour wants Keystone pipeline put on hold

NEB warned pipeline is a job killer

EDMONTON, April 16 /CNW/ - In a submission to the National Energy Board
(NEB) on April 13, 2007, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) argues that
the Keystone pipeline project that is currently before the NEB for approval is
not in the public interest.
"We have asked the Board to consider the broader, long-term impacts of
approving the pipeline to connect suppliers of bitumen in Alberta to
purchasers of bitumen in the United States," says AFL President Gil McGowan.

As the world increasingly becomes terrified of the consequences of climate change, peak oil realities leave only the worst possible oil left, in terms of net energy and in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Smart corporations-- and oil and pipeline companies are definitely clever-- will start to shift from a lack of concern to "feeling the same pain" but "warning against" taking appropriate measures. If one wants, they can still make money hacking away for corporations in the Lower 48 who will pay for "studies" that disprove or downplay climate change.

Before the corks are popped and the bubbly pouring, let us recall that this pipe has been declared "dead" more times than Elvis Presley. At the end of the Berger Inquiry from the 1970's, there was a moratorium placed on this pipe until A) final agreements [sic] were established with all nations from the Valley; B) protected areas and proper environmental plans for the rest were laid out.

Enbridge pipeline shut down after leak
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070416.wenbridge041...
DAVID EBNER

Globe and Mail Update

One of the biggest Canadian oil pipelines to the United States has been shut down after a leak was discovered Sunday night, according to operator Enbridge Inc.

Line 3 connects Hardisty, Alta., with Wisconsin, carrying 450,000 barrels of oil a day to refiners in the U.S. Midwest — more than 20 per cent of Enbridge's capacity on its mainline, which is comprised of several links.

Two notes: This story comes from within the industry.
Two: the point about "The high oil prices and sharply increased upstream spending budgets of most oil companies..." translates into how expensive it is to drill/mine/pump/dig the heavy crude out of the earth and into a pipe-- the term "upstream" means the oil equivalent of a watershed. "Downstream" would be the refinery.

Sadly, this form of analysis is a pipe dream, no pipeline pun intended. In the scenario that the Democratic Party of the US actually tackling the automobile industry for mileage requirements, it would first of all be many years before any significant portion of the vehicles on the road were of any consequential difference. Second, the production of all these new cars would require energy, and the alternative energies we hear about (Ethanol, for example) do not reduce but increase reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions-- you just don't have to see them as directly.

Oil Shale, burning much like coal after a more -involved extraction process than "regular" tar sands, is perhaps the energy equivalent of a scoundrels refuge. If we see the energy economy go to this form of extraction without coming up with a plan for a non-oil existence, then we may as well give up on most everything save the immediate future, for it will be the final surrender to climate change and the destruction of the liveable biosphere, for the purpose of fuelling a riding lawn mower...

--M

Hatch urges use of Utah's tar sands and oil shale

Dehcho: Troops at Fort Simpson Will Not Be Welcomed
Clip:
Norwegian said the mock terrorist exercise shows gratuitous ignorance of the current situation in the Dehcho and that he would not be surprised “if some of our people greet the Canadian troops with less than a warm welcome. We have our own sovereignty over this land and do not intend to be intimidated by soldiers of a government using the threat of terrorism as an excuse to show their flag on our land.”

For immediate release
TROOPS AT FORT SIMPSON WILL NOT BE WELCOMED

Companies, not governments, control energy future: analyst

By RENATO GANDIA
Today staff
Friday April 13, 2007
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/Local%20News/300358.html

The American addiction to oil is fuelling the sizzling oilsands development in Fort McMurray, said a policy analyst from the United States slated to come here Monday.