Crystal Gooding – Throwing Money in the Trash? Solutions for Plastic Waste

Charles DeLand – Time to Come Clean on Going Green

Reducing emissions will cost. Governments need to admit that – Financial Post

Ottawa’s policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will cost Canadians, both directly and indirectly. In 2021, the Royal Bank estimated that reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 could cost as much as $2 trillion — which is almost three-quarters of last year’s entire GDP. We will also need to spend more to protect against a changing climate. To pay for all this, Canada badly needs economic growth.

Though virtually all governments and opposition parties twist themselves into knots to avoid saying it, trying to prevent climate change will cause economic pain. Yes, there will be new “sustainable” jobs and businesses, but the net impact will almost surely be negative. Assigning a price, by tax or regulation, to…

G. Kent Fellows – Renewables Moratorium Risks Harming Alberta’s Investment Climate

Ben Brunnen – It’s Time to Move on Canada’s LNG Opportunity

Charles DeLand – A Nuclear Blueprint for Alberta

Alberta’s renewable energy pause goes against conservative free market fundamentals – Globe and Mail

Alberta’s move last week to pause approvals for new renewable electricity investments sends a strong signal: The conservative, free-market fundamentals underpinning the province’s approach to electricity are no longer as strong as the past few decades might suggest.

Whatever happens between now and next February, when the moratorium expires, Alberta’s electricity industry is at a crossroads: Does the province continue to embrace its quarter-century as a free, open market, or will the government and regulator take more interventionist control over the type and location of generation investments?

In 1996, then-premier Ralph Klein’s Progressive Conservative government decided to let market forces govern…

Charles DeLand – Alberta can learn from Ontario as it looks to develop nuclear energy – Globe and Mail

Fans of Canadian nuclear energy have a lot to root for these days. Two recent Ontario announcements, one about small modular reactors and one for a new large-scale project, indicate meaningful commitment to nuclear energy to meet rising demand. Along with hydro, nuclear power emits virtually zero greenhouse-gas emissions, and is foundational to meet federal emissions targets.

Albertans have a chance to learn from Ontario’s ambition – and Premier Danielle Smith’s recent mandate letter to Brian Jean, her Energy and Minerals Minister, presents a well-timed opportunity to do even more.

Among other things, the Premier asks the minister to co-ordinate “with other provinces and the federal government to further explore…

Ben Brunnen – A Critical Raw Materials Strategy for Canada

Yes, more natural gas is good: The case for upping Canadian exports – Globe and Mail

In the drive to reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions, provide affordable energy, enhance energy security and provide benefits to Canadians, the country has an opportunity to play a vital role: exporting liquid natural gas.

According to the International Energy Agency, coal, oil and natural gas make up nearly 80 per cent of the global energy mix, and are expected to continue to comprise at least 62 per cent by 2050.

Natural gas is energy dense and emits the lowest pounds of CO2 per million British thermal units (btu) of all hydrocarbons. As such, it is an abundant low-emission substitute for coal and backstop for renewables in the evolving energy mix.

Both the United States and the European Union have displaced…

Ben Brunnen – Reforming Canada’s Fossil Fuel Subsidy Framework

(Hardy) Valiaho, DeLand and Walton – Ontario Needs to Play Catch-up on Carbon Capture and Storage