Energy

Originally posted 10 February 2018 Updated 20 March 2018 Legislature debate Not much has happened.  More Mayes Edmonton Journal cartoons. Notley lines up her advisory panels including key ministers and deputy ministers. Horgan not saying much. Wine war proceeds to a tribunal Now a truce- court reference for wine New measures to tax out-of-province property aim at wealthy oilpatchers? (more…)

Originally posted 31 May 2017 The electoral outcome of the British Columbia election was settled last week. This week it appears that a "coalition" agreement between the B.C. Greens and the New Democratic Party will serve to defeat Christy Clark's government. (more…)

Originally posted 25 January 2017 The day before Robbie Burns Day was an especially propitious day for executives at TransCanada Corporation.  Two working days into office and the new U.S.  President has "delivered"  on the promise to revive the Keystone XL pipeline from Hardisty Alberta to Steele City on the border of Nebraska and Kansas. The decision is subject to terms being negotiated with the proponents, presumably to achieve some return to the U.S. Treasury and to U.S. construction and factory workers.  Several commentators have noted this negotiation may be similar to the "shake-down" orchestrated by Premier Christy Clark with the Trudeau government's approval of the Kinder-Morgan TransMountain pipeline.  (more…)

Originally posted 16 August 2016 The de-regulation of electricity markets was a cornerstone policy of the Klein years. Recently the government has commenced legal proceedings to roll back a clause in the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) known as the “Enron clause.” (more…)

The de-regulation of electricity markets was a cornerstone policy of the Klein years. Recently the government has commenced legal proceedings to roll back a clause in the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) known as the “Enron clause.” It is perhaps under-stating the case that electricity de-regulation in Alberta is “complex”. Historically, electricity rates for both retail and commercial customers were set by the Alberta Utilities Board who determined what rate of return the electricity provider would receive. Underlying regulation was a concept that electricity was central to the well-being of citizens and business enterprises and a stable market supplying electricity was in the public interest. This attitude shifted during the 1980s with the Thatcher reforms in Britain’s electricity and...