Alberta should create oilsands commission: panel

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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As it stands, the oil/gas industry is being vilified as it is the cause du jour with the environmental lobbies. Allowing a non gvt lobby group dictate national policy is nothing more than a fool's errand.

Everyone knows that oil/gas is a primitive, non-renewable construct that we need to give up in favour of clean tech. As the reality of anthropogenic climate change finally begins to enter the minds of the few, honest conservatives or republicans out there, you will also see a swift change in energy policy. And since the science is patently obvious now, then it's the science that should pave the way for that future policy.

Regardless of how we organize such policy - whether it be by some governmental group or a separate agent - following sound science needs to be enforced just as much as economic concerns. That means important investments in legitimate, clean tech and gravitating away from the oil sector.

It's impossible to expect the oil industry to accept their inevitable death all at once, so this has to happen gradually.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Yeah, 'cause the coal goes out by rail...the number of trains is stunning.

SaskPower is enlarging many of their plants, as well.
And shifting to nat gas too. Sour gas. There is 3X as much sour gas as sweet and it's dirt cheap.

Everyone knows that oil/gas is a primitive, non-renewable construct that we need to give up in favour of clean tech. As the reality of anthropogenic climate change finally begins to enter the minds of the few, honest conservatives or republicans out there, you will also see a swift change in energy policy. And since the science is patently obvious now, then it's the science that should pave the way for that future policy.

Regardless of how we organize such policy - whether it be by some governmental group or a separate agent - following sound science needs to be enforced just as much as economic concerns. That means important investments in legitimate, clean tech and gravitating away from the oil sector.
Cleaning up is fine but the ****ing carbon bank is a massive scam on the people of the planet.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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I get paid $6 per acre seeded by using zero till knives. How many litres of fuel went into that acre to produce a "green crop" eligible for a carbon credit?
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
39,817
471
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I get paid $6 per acre seeded by using zero till knives. How many litres of fuel went into that acre to produce a "green crop" eligible for a carbon credit?

What defines a "green crop" when someone signs on?
 

karrie

OogedyBoogedy
Jan 6, 2007
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bliss
The carbon credit program is just another step in convincing consumers that a healthy environment can be bought, because the reality, that the only way to save the environment is to STOP consuming, would rattle society to its core.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Viterra’s Carbon Credit Program
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Viterra’s Carbon Credit Program helps you harvest the rewards from your soil conservation practices. We give you sound advice, service and continued support for your carbon credits.
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What are carbon credits?
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A carbon offset credit ("carbon credit") is an emission reduction credit from an agricultural, forestry, waste management or renewable energy project. Carbon credits are typically measured in tons of CO2e and each carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide either, removed from the atmosphere, recaptured or saved from being emitted.
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How can agricultural land generate carbon credits?
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CO2 is sequestered from the air into the soil through plants. Tilling the soil releases carbon into the atmosphere; contributing to harmful greenhouse gases. By implementing no-till and reduced-till systems on agricultural land, growers may have the opportunity to generate carbon credits.
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Is there a carbon offset credit system in Saskatchewan?
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The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act in the provincial legislature. It is expected that the new legislation will be in place sometime at the beginning of 2010. Legislation is expected to include a carbon offset system and agricultural carbon credits will play a large role in achieving greenhouse gas ("GHG") reductions in the province.

Viterra is currently accepting applications from farmers in Saskatchewan who are interested in selling their carbon credits. When a provincial offset system is in place, Viterra will send you an offer to purchase your eligible carbon credits. Viterra is committed to providing you, our valued customer, with maximum value.
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How can I apply for Viterra’s Carbon Credit Program?
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You can pick up an application at your nearest Viterra retail outlet or call
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[/FONT][FONT=Tahoma,Tahoma][FONT=Tahoma,Tahoma]1-866-712-1090 (option 2) [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Tahoma,Tahoma][FONT=Tahoma,Tahoma][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]to request that a form be mailed to you. [/FONT][/FONT]
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The application is not a binding agreement. When Viterra is in the position to send you a contract for the purchase of your carbon credits, it will include all the information you require to make a decision.
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How do I calculate the amount of carbon credits my farm operation may have?
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Viterra will take care of this for you. Pre-established coefficients of GHG reductions, based on an approved protocol, your farming tillage practices, and the soil classification of your land will be used to determine the amount of your eligible carbon credits.
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Talk to your local Viterra representative
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Viterra will work with you to determine the quantity of carbon credits you are eligible for based on your farming operation.
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Outstanding Service. Ongoing Support.
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You take care of the land. As a valued Viterra customer, let us take care of you.

The carbon credit industry is an evolving and dynamic market. Let Viterra simplify the process for you by looking after all the details.

As your business partner, Viterra will be with you every step of the way to ensure you get maximum value for your carbon credits. Viterra gives you expert advice, service and support.
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Get the Credit YOU Deserve!

Viterra Carbon Credit Program - Saskatchewan
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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So is it safe to assume that it requires more fuel to seed that way petros?
A little less because you normally don't have to cultivate. In my region we had to cultivate this year to drop moisture conent to avoid root rot and stem rust.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
39,817
471
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I did. "seeded by using zero till knives".


So where's the scam then?

People bought into seeding by using zero till knives and they got seeding by using zero till knives.

By the way, I do think carbon credits are not the best environmental practice, but it's only really a scam if you're given the expectation of something that was not truly delivered.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Why are you asking me things I have no idea about?

Then how can you say there is no scam?

I'll be fair and give you my averages per acre to produce spring wheat.

Fuel: 26L

Nitrogen and phosphates 110lbs (nitrogen sourced from nat gas)

2L of petro sourced herbicide.

That doesn't include fuel used to move finished product to market, fuel to have fertilizer, pesticides and seed delivered, or fuel used in baling and moving bales.

In reality it's around 30L per acre. Does that one acre remove 30L equivilant of carbon?
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
39,817
471
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Then how can you say there is no scam?

I'll be fair and give you my averages per acre to produce spring wheat.

Fuel: 26L

Nitrogen and phosphates 110lbs (nitrogen sourced from nat gas)

2L of petro sourced herbicide.

That doesn't include fuel used to move finished product to market, fuel to have fertilizer, pesticides and seed delivered, or fuel used in baling and moving bales.

In reality it's around 30L per acre. Does that one acre remove 30L equivilant of carbon?

My point is that there was no implication or promise of carbon reductions based on fuel usage in the contract. The people who bought into the "scam" didn't take the time to read the fine print.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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1 L = 2.6Kg of CO2 x 30L = 79.66kg of CO2 per acre. What happens to all that captured carbon once the carbohydrates are consumed by man and beast? What becomes of the carbon in the straw?

My point is that there was no implication or promise of carbon reductions based on fuel usage in the contract. The people who bought into the "scam" didn't take the time to read the fine print.
It's a scam. A HUGE scam. If i wanted i could plant trees at $20 a pop for an airline. How much carbon does a sapling reduce in the 5 years I'm required to tend to that tree? After 5 years I can plow it under and plant more $20 trees.