U.S. to re-route Keystone XL due to environmental concerns
- Thread starter mentalfloss
- Start date
Hahaha, you can't make a purse out of a sow's ear!!
We need to keep taxing the oil industry to keep supporting those easterners with billions in Equalization Payments.
Winter is coming, and they don't want to freeze in the dark !! Lol !!
Heheh Bear, we had a guy like that at work who knew everything about anything;-) You know a general "expert"...knowitall
Someday...I'll post what happened to him...:lol:
New Keystone route holds promise, but not exactly a 'no-brainer'
Having misjudged the level of antipathy from Nebraska ranchers, TransCanada Corp. suddenly agreed late Monday to avoid ecologically sensitive areas and move its proposed Keystone XL pipeline to a route it says will be determined with key input from state residents.
Had it been more accommodating from the start, rather than threatening lifelong Nebraska Republicans like 63-year-old cattle buyer Randy Thompson with land confiscation under the principle of eminent domain, Alberta's landlocked oilsands might be less hostage to an organized anti-Keystone environmental lobby that had foundered until it partnered with affected landowners.
TransCanada has always denied the bullying accusations, saying it only seeks to condemn properties with eminent domain - the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use, with payment of compensation - after all good-faith efforts have failed. But their offer to Thomson of $17,861 seemed paltry, as was the $5,000 it offered Ernie Fellows, 66, for an easement he said passed 117 metres from his house and barn.
And then there were the Boettcher brothers, Bruce and Scott, who run cattle across the sensitive Sand Hills ecosystem, where shifting water is close to the surface and where one year of overgrazing can seriously damage the area for seven.
Whatever past dealings may have occurred, Trans Canada's willingness to seek an alternate route is positive.
"TransCanada played it poorly in how they handled people of Nebraska for months, but they may have stumbled via their own incompetence into putting the environmental movement into a real bind," said Jon Entine, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research and an expert on environmental and corporate responsibility.
"If the State Department follows protocol and judges this purely on the basis of the routing issue, it's a checkmate for TransCanada," Entine said.
TransCanada might possibly move Keystone further east, along its existing Keystone 1 route through Nebraska.
Yet, TransCanada's hopes for a speedy approval in six months were dashed by a U.S. State Department statement that a new round of regulatory approvals will be required.
Considering there was a spill in May along the Keystone 1 route near the North and South Dakota borders, it would be wise for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to refrain from making any more comments about Keystone being a "complete nobrainer" for the U.S.
New Keystone route holds promise, but not exactly a 'no-brainer' - The Calgary Herald
Had it been more accommodating from the start, rather than threatening lifelong Nebraska Republicans like 63-year-old cattle buyer Randy Thompson with land confiscation under the principle of eminent domain, Alberta's landlocked oilsands might be less hostage to an organized anti-Keystone environmental lobby that had foundered until it partnered with affected landowners.
TransCanada has always denied the bullying accusations, saying it only seeks to condemn properties with eminent domain - the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use, with payment of compensation - after all good-faith efforts have failed. But their offer to Thomson of $17,861 seemed paltry, as was the $5,000 it offered Ernie Fellows, 66, for an easement he said passed 117 metres from his house and barn.
And then there were the Boettcher brothers, Bruce and Scott, who run cattle across the sensitive Sand Hills ecosystem, where shifting water is close to the surface and where one year of overgrazing can seriously damage the area for seven.
Whatever past dealings may have occurred, Trans Canada's willingness to seek an alternate route is positive.
"TransCanada played it poorly in how they handled people of Nebraska for months, but they may have stumbled via their own incompetence into putting the environmental movement into a real bind," said Jon Entine, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research and an expert on environmental and corporate responsibility.
"If the State Department follows protocol and judges this purely on the basis of the routing issue, it's a checkmate for TransCanada," Entine said.
TransCanada might possibly move Keystone further east, along its existing Keystone 1 route through Nebraska.
Yet, TransCanada's hopes for a speedy approval in six months were dashed by a U.S. State Department statement that a new round of regulatory approvals will be required.
Considering there was a spill in May along the Keystone 1 route near the North and South Dakota borders, it would be wise for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to refrain from making any more comments about Keystone being a "complete nobrainer" for the U.S.
New Keystone route holds promise, but not exactly a 'no-brainer' - The Calgary Herald
NDP 'undermining' Canada by lobbying against Keystone: Oliver
OTTAWA — A senior minister in the Harper government has accused the opposition NDP of "denigrating" and "undermining" Canada by sending two of its MPs to Washington to voice concerns about the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.
The message came Tuesday from Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, who blasted the New Democrats in the House of Commons and then left the chamber to repeat his criticism to reporters.
He was reacting to a news conference held earlier in the day by NDP MPs Megan Leslie and Claude Gravelle, who flew to the U.S. capital for meetings with senior American congressmen and their staff on Wednesday.
Oliver said he was "appalled" when he heard the NDP was travelling to the U.S. to "talk negatively" about the pipeline. "This is a project which will generate hundreds of thousands of jobs for Canadians, billions of dollars in economic activity, fund important social services like education for our children, health care for the elderly," said Oliver.
"Frankly, I think what they are doing is a disgrace."
Leslie, who was in transit when Oliver delivered his broadside, later responded in an interview from Washington.
"Elected officials do have the right to talk to people," she said, adding that Prime Minister Stephen Harper only presented "one point of view" when he lobbied in the U.S. for the pipeline.
"I think it's perfectly legitimate for an elected official to come down and say, 'You know what? Stephen Harper is our prime minister, but he is not the only person who gets to speak for Canada and there are different points of view in Canada.' "
The New Democrats say they want to "open a dialogue" with the Americans on energy, remind them that there's more to the pipeline issue than job creation, and stress the importance of the potential environmental impact of the project proposed by TransCanada Corp.
In the House of Commons Tuesday, New Democrat MP Kennedy Stewart said the proposed pipeline will send "thousands of jobs across the border" and substantially increase oilsands emissions. "It will lock us into the export of bitumen for decades," said Stewart. "Yet the government only listens to its oil lobbyist friends.
Oliver tore a strip off the NDP for deciding to bring its message to foreign soil. He told reporters the NDP should not be getting involved in the U.S. political process by criticizing the pipeline. "What we're talking about here is an extremely important project which will generate jobs for Canadians and I think it's appalling that the NDP would be undermining our economic interests in this way."
Apparently Oliver has beef with the NDP "getting involved in the U.S. political process" but no criticism of his own camp doing the same thing..
Alberta's Redford meets Republican leaders to tout Keystone pipeline
Alberta's Redford meets Republican leaders to tout Keystone pipeline
NEW YORK — Premier Alison Redford of Alberta left the United States on Tuesday evening, having spent three days talking to American leaders amid uncertainty surrounding the Keystone XL oil pipeline and questions about future oilsands development.
At the Canadian Consulate in New York, financial journalists questioned the premier on Tuesday afternoon about how she'll handle the onslaught of bad publicity over the Athabasca oilsands — and the ongoing delay of the Keystone pipeline project to move crude from northern Alberta into U.S. markets.
Some of the negative publicity on the oilsands resurfaced Monday night, when The Colbert Report — a popular U.S. comedy show that spoofs the news — highlighted the regulatory woes with Keystone, and spoke with environmental author Bill McKibben about climate change concerns tied to oilsands production.
"They're getting the oil out of the oilsands, OK," Colbert told viewers.
"On the upside, doesn't that leave us nice clean sand when we're done, which Alberta will need for its beaches when it is waterfront property in 50 years?"
Earlier in the day in Washington, D.C., Redford met a group of Republican congressmen who support the Keystone XL pipeline and the potential for new jobs from the energy development.
The group included Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, a vocal opponent of legislation to cap greenhouse gas emissions, who in past years has quoted the Bible in explaining why the world will avoid man-made climate disasters. Redford also met with Ohio
In a statement, the Republican leader said the delaying decision by the Obama administration jeopardizes the creation of more than 20,000 new jobs south of the border.
"President Obama says 'we can't wait' to act on jobs, and yet that's exactly what his decision on the Keystone energy project has out-of-work Americans doing: waiting," Boehner said.
"Canada's prime minister has already confirmed that either American workers will benefit from this project, or our competitors in China and elsewhere will. This project has been deemed environmentally sound, and while deferring it until after the election might make for good campaign rhetoric, it does nothing for Americans still asking the question, 'Where are the jobs?'"
http://www.calgaryherald.com/techno...one+pipeline/5715367/story.html#ixzz1dseP9hJf
At the Canadian Consulate in New York, financial journalists questioned the premier on Tuesday afternoon about how she'll handle the onslaught of bad publicity over the Athabasca oilsands — and the ongoing delay of the Keystone pipeline project to move crude from northern Alberta into U.S. markets.
Some of the negative publicity on the oilsands resurfaced Monday night, when The Colbert Report — a popular U.S. comedy show that spoofs the news — highlighted the regulatory woes with Keystone, and spoke with environmental author Bill McKibben about climate change concerns tied to oilsands production.
"They're getting the oil out of the oilsands, OK," Colbert told viewers.
"On the upside, doesn't that leave us nice clean sand when we're done, which Alberta will need for its beaches when it is waterfront property in 50 years?"
Earlier in the day in Washington, D.C., Redford met a group of Republican congressmen who support the Keystone XL pipeline and the potential for new jobs from the energy development.
The group included Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, a vocal opponent of legislation to cap greenhouse gas emissions, who in past years has quoted the Bible in explaining why the world will avoid man-made climate disasters. Redford also met with Ohio
In a statement, the Republican leader said the delaying decision by the Obama administration jeopardizes the creation of more than 20,000 new jobs south of the border.
"President Obama says 'we can't wait' to act on jobs, and yet that's exactly what his decision on the Keystone energy project has out-of-work Americans doing: waiting," Boehner said.
"Canada's prime minister has already confirmed that either American workers will benefit from this project, or our competitors in China and elsewhere will. This project has been deemed environmentally sound, and while deferring it until after the election might make for good campaign rhetoric, it does nothing for Americans still asking the question, 'Where are the jobs?'"
http://www.calgaryherald.com/techno...one+pipeline/5715367/story.html#ixzz1dseP9hJf
Yes, water is nice too. And if you want to live beyond the means of survival guidebooks, it's easier with a sustainable resource.
500 years from now I'll worry about our oil running out. Until then, I'll enjoy the benefits of all of Canada's wealth. We are only scratching the surface of what we have.
If you can...
Keystone delay may force shippers to opt out
U.S. decision puts project 2 years behind
Further delays to Trans Canada Corp.'s Keystone XL pipeline could sound a death knell for the massive Alberta-to-Texas bitumen line if shippers pull out, according to industry observers.
The $7-billion project was dealt a blow Thursday after the U.S. State Department put off a decision on the transborder line until early 2013 to review alternative routes, citing public concerns about XL traversing a sensitive water resource.
At a minimum, the U.S. ruling presents a delay; at worst it could see key financial support being withdrawn from the $7-billion pipeline, said analysts. "I believe it could lead to the project not going ahead because the shippers have sunset clauses," said Juan Plessis, with Canaccord Capital, from Vancouver.
"If TransCanada cannot reasonably expect to have a commencement date of December 31, 2013, then the shippers are not bound to the original agreement."
Conditions attached to shipper agreements filed with the National Energy Board include TransCanada proving by the end of 2011 it had all the U.S. regulatory approvals to launch the line "no later than December 31, 2013." Observers now expect the project to be at least two years late because of the newest development and not built until the end of 2014 - assuming enough shippers stay on board.
"The critical issue is what happens to the 445,000 barrels per day plus of shipper contracts in place, which are necessary for the project to proceed, said analyst Chad Friess, with UBS Research in a research note Friday. "With the delay, we expect most shippers will have the right to opt out of their contracts under various 'sunset clauses' and commit their volumes to other Gulf Coast projects, such as Enbridge's Wrangler, which proposes to be on stream mid 2013."
Rival Enbridge Inc. has forwarded an 800,000 barrel per day pipeline proposal which would move oil from benchmark pricing point Cushing, Okla., to near Houston, Texas.
Friess said a late 2014 completion would be tolerable to most shippers, but added "there is no guarantee that a new route won't meet the same resistance as the current one, which has been under review since 2008."
TransCanada included 14 routes crossing Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. when submitting its application to U.S. regulators.
The final environmental impact statement approved by the State Department in August noted alternative routes would disturb more land and add about $1.7 billion to the project.
The State Department move Thursday was seen as highly political, in part to placate influential Democratic voters in light of large public demonstrations against the pipeline, and help President Barack Obama's administration avoid controversy around the project until after the 2012 U.S. election.
Environmental and landowner groups argued the 800,000-barrelper-day Keystone would facilitate carbon-intense development of Alberta's oilsands and could pollute the Ogallala aquifer in Nebraska.
Oilsands producer Cenovus Energy would not discuss its shipping agreements, but said it was meeting with TransCanada for updates. "Cenovus has taken a position on Keystone XL and we remain supportive of the project," a spokeswoman, Rhona DelFrari, wrote in an e-mail. "There has been a great deal of work already completed to determine this was the best route and we are hopeful any remaining concerns can be addressed so this pipeline gets built."
Shipper options include Kinder Morgan's proposed TransMountain pipeline expansion to the West Coast, Enbridge's Wrangler and its equally controversial Northern Gateway pipeline project, which could be gaining force on the Keystone delay. The 525,000-barrel-per-day line would ship Alberta bitumen to a marine terminal in British Columbia and on to Asian markets, opening new buyers for Canadian crude.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers quickly assured investors production would not be affected in the short term by Thursday's announcement. "Other alternatives are being pursued to ensure market access over the medium term," president David Collyer said. "Delaying Keystone XL will motivate exploration of other markets for Canadian crude oil products,"
The sentiment was echoed by federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who questioned the project's survival if subjected to another lengthy regulatory review. "It may mean that we may have to move quickly to ensure that we can export our oil to Asia through British Columbia," Flaherty said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu.
That's fine too. We'll just ship more bitumen or more heavy crude from the sources that do sign on.
Wuh-oh spaghettios.. It appears as if Alberta's trip to the south has "broadened" our energy policy..
Canada must reduce its dependence on U.S.: Redford
If Canada is to be an international energy powerhouse, it has to stop relying so heavily on trade with the U.S., newly minted Alberta Premier Alison Redford said Tuesday.
Speaking in Ontario for the first time since becoming premier, Redford said Canada must look east to Asia and not south of the border.
“Our success is dependent on exports and the prosperity they bring, but the U.S. is declining. We must have more customers for our products,” she told the Economic Club of Canada.
Alberta is still reeling from the U.S. State Department decision to put the Keystone XL pipeline project on hold. “If we truly want Canada to be a global energy leader, technology champion and environmental citizen, we have to reduce our market dependence on the United States,” she told the mainly business crowd.
Forging stronger links with Asia is essential, Redford said.
She called on the provinces to put old grudges aside to work on a national energy strategy in lockstep with a pan-Canadian environmental policy with respect to energy production.
“We need to put old antagonisms behind us. The complexity of the challenges we face demand no less. No one province can achieve success alone,” she said.
Canada News: Canada must reduce its dependence on U.S.: Redford - thestar.com
Canada must reduce its dependence on U.S.: Redford
If Canada is to be an international energy powerhouse, it has to stop relying so heavily on trade with the U.S., newly minted Alberta Premier Alison Redford said Tuesday.
Speaking in Ontario for the first time since becoming premier, Redford said Canada must look east to Asia and not south of the border.
“Our success is dependent on exports and the prosperity they bring, but the U.S. is declining. We must have more customers for our products,” she told the Economic Club of Canada.
Alberta is still reeling from the U.S. State Department decision to put the Keystone XL pipeline project on hold. “If we truly want Canada to be a global energy leader, technology champion and environmental citizen, we have to reduce our market dependence on the United States,” she told the mainly business crowd.
Forging stronger links with Asia is essential, Redford said.
She called on the provinces to put old grudges aside to work on a national energy strategy in lockstep with a pan-Canadian environmental policy with respect to energy production.
“We need to put old antagonisms behind us. The complexity of the challenges we face demand no less. No one province can achieve success alone,” she said.
Canada News: Canada must reduce its dependence on U.S.: Redford - thestar.com
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Part of the problem is they never consulted the people of Nebraska, no not the
government the people of the State. When you talk to those only of like kind,
you do not know the feelings of those who live there. I am happy we stopped
this even for a short time. I think we should manufacture all raw materials and
products here in Canada, for domestic and export use. It would provide real
jobs for our people using our own resources. I don't have a problem sharing
some of our oil but I maintain we must ensure a supply for Canadians going
into the future.
We should not be shipping raw materials to Asia either, especially oil and gas.
As Canadians we have a mentality that we have to sip our prized materials
raw and provide jobs for others when we could ship it refined and produced
and demand more for it. We are a have country and we should ensure a
maximum benefit for our nation.
government the people of the State. When you talk to those only of like kind,
you do not know the feelings of those who live there. I am happy we stopped
this even for a short time. I think we should manufacture all raw materials and
products here in Canada, for domestic and export use. It would provide real
jobs for our people using our own resources. I don't have a problem sharing
some of our oil but I maintain we must ensure a supply for Canadians going
into the future.
We should not be shipping raw materials to Asia either, especially oil and gas.
As Canadians we have a mentality that we have to sip our prized materials
raw and provide jobs for others when we could ship it refined and produced
and demand more for it. We are a have country and we should ensure a
maximum benefit for our nation.