shocking
Every so often, two seemingly unrelated events occur near to each other and illustrate the nub of a problem.
Consider the recent panel created by the Alberta government to examine ways to cut oil sands carbon emissions. The panel includes appointees from major energy companies, one First Nation, representatives from a few non-government organizations, the Pembina Institute and ForestEthics/Greenpeace alumnus Tzeporah Berman.
Now, ponder TransCanada Corp. president and chief executive Russ Girling, who mused out loud last week about the association between efforts to gain “social licence” and approval for major resource projects. The link, he said, was “not evident at the current time.”
Mr. Girling is correct, but he and other executives in major Canadian industries might be waiting a long time for a demonstrable link.
That’s because it’s a mistake to assume reasonable efforts will mean something to activists who disdain real-world choices. Such activists seem to demonstrate the opposite: They prefer generalities to rational cost-benefit analyses.
Think I’m exaggerating?
Recall that Alberta was the first province to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in 2003 and instituted the first carbon tax in 2007. Quebec was next later that year, and British Columbia implemented its version in 2008.
mo
The energy industry compromised, but green activists have not - The Globe and Mail
Every so often, two seemingly unrelated events occur near to each other and illustrate the nub of a problem.
Consider the recent panel created by the Alberta government to examine ways to cut oil sands carbon emissions. The panel includes appointees from major energy companies, one First Nation, representatives from a few non-government organizations, the Pembina Institute and ForestEthics/Greenpeace alumnus Tzeporah Berman.
Now, ponder TransCanada Corp. president and chief executive Russ Girling, who mused out loud last week about the association between efforts to gain “social licence” and approval for major resource projects. The link, he said, was “not evident at the current time.”
Mr. Girling is correct, but he and other executives in major Canadian industries might be waiting a long time for a demonstrable link.
That’s because it’s a mistake to assume reasonable efforts will mean something to activists who disdain real-world choices. Such activists seem to demonstrate the opposite: They prefer generalities to rational cost-benefit analyses.
Think I’m exaggerating?
Recall that Alberta was the first province to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in 2003 and instituted the first carbon tax in 2007. Quebec was next later that year, and British Columbia implemented its version in 2008.
mo
The energy industry compromised, but green activists have not - The Globe and Mail
