Feds, industry investing in innovation to clean up the oilsands
Government and industry continue to invest in research and development to reduce the environmental impacts of oilsands development, but it appears unlikely that the sector will adopt greener practices without tougher regulations. The federal and Alberta governments and the oil industry are making multi-million dollar investments aimed at addressing the impact of oilsands development […]
Energy
Alberta stuck on coal as energy source continues to loom large in province’s energy, export sectors
As most provinces within Canada work to distance themselves from the use of coal-fired power plants for electricity production, the Alberta government is staying the course—for now—as the ancient energy source continues to account for nearly half of all electricity generated on the provincial grid. Coal mining for export to foreign markets is also […]
Natural Resources Minister Oliver defends strategy to promote Canadian oil abroad
Joe Oliver could be on the move in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s looming Cabinet shuffle, but he’s standing by the aggressive approach that the government has taken to promoting Canadian oil abroad in his two years as Natural Resources minister. The rookie MP and retired investment banker has taken a hardball approach to pitching […]
NEB gets stronger penalties for non-compliant pipeline operators
The National Energy Board now has the power to level daily fines on pipeline operators for regulatory non-compliance, but critics of the federal government’s approach to oil and gas development are questioning whether or not the energy agency has the ability to follow through on the tough new regulations. The new rules, which came […]
Inuit groups reject calls for end to Arctic oil and gas activity
Leaders representing Canada’s Inuit at the national and international level are calling for a cautionary approach to oil and gas development in the Arctic and rejecting a Greenpeace-led campaign demanding a ban on offshore drilling and a moratorium on onshore hydrocarbon extraction in the region. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Inuit Circumpolar Council […]
Moves to overhaul provincial energy sector regulations in Alberta raises some concerns
Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes says the decision to establish the Alberta Energy Regulator, a single regulatory body in the resource-rich province, makes sense for a number of reasons—most notably by making the system more efficient. But Keith Wilson, a property rights lawyer and policy chair of the Alberta Landowners Council, says he believes […]
Canada should look at domestic energy markets first before worrying about U.S. protectionism, says Senator Neufeld
British Columbia Conservative Senator Richard Neufeld, chair of the Senate Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee, says charges of energy market protectionism south of the border may be overstated and the U.S. appetite for oil and Canadian electricity will continue to be strong for decades, adding that it’s just a matter of time before the Keystone […]
Federal government could enhance our energy security, promote innovation in our energy sector
Ensuring that Canada’s energy policies promote the development of clean, sustainable energy is one of the defining challenges of our times. It is an urgent priority for the economy and the environment. With a comprehensive vision for a Canadian energy strategy and strong leadership, the federal government could enhance our energy security, promote innovation […]
Protecting environment, interests of Canadians paramount to NEB
The National Energy Board is committed to continually improving the way it protects workers, the public, and the environment. The NEB is an independent regulatory tribunal that operates within its legislative framework, as mandated by Parliament. We report to Parliament through the minister of Natural Resources. As Canada’s energy watchdog, we are ever vigilant […]
