March 3, 2010

Bill to Establish "Energy Corridors" Raises Concerns
Marine Public Broadcasting Network – March 3, 2010

Maine lawmakers are taking up a bill that has major implications for relations with Canada, future electricity costs, alternative energy development and jobs for Maine workers. Read more…

Clean tech sector gets $100-million boost
Vancouver Sun – March 3, 2010

The $100 million, announced it yesterday’s B.C. budget, will be spent over three years to support transportation infrastructure, support for development of biofuels from wood waste, and research and development of green power technology including wind, solar, geothermal and tidal power. Read more…

Rig activity on the mend in Western Canada
Calgary Herald – March 3, 2010

a surge in crude prices last year pushed up activity in the oilpatch and spilled into 2010. The number of active rigs peaked at the beginning of February at 520 out of 802 rigs, or 64.5 per cent, compared with a year prior, when rates were around 47 per cent. Read more…

Alaska pipeline feud heats up between key players
Calgary Herald – March 3, 2010

At an Arctic natural gas conference in Calgary, representatives from TransCanada Corp. and the Denali pipeline consortium took subtle jabs against each others' respective proposals at the Canadian Institute sponsored event. Read more…

Oilsands to drive natural gas demand
Calgary Herald – March 3, 2010

Oilsands development in Alberta and power generation in Ontario will continue to drive demand for natural gas in Canada for the next decade, while natural declines in the West will see supplies fall, according to Ziff Energy analysts. Read more…

Montana, North Dakota push for access to Canadian pipeline
Billings Gazette – March 3, 2010

The governors of North Dakota and Montana are enlisting domestic oil producers to bring pressure on a Canadian energy company that has so far declined to let domestic crude onto a pipeline planned from Alberta to the Gulf Coast. Read more…

Stelmach's Tories face gooey problem as more bitumen upgrading leaves Alberta
Calgary Herald – March 3, 2010

The amount of oilsands bitumen being upgraded in Alberta continues to sink -- leaving the government well short of its target -- with Syncrude the latest in a growing number of companies to cancel upgrader projects and send the lucrative product stateside. Read more…

Duck is rallying symbol at oil-sands trial
Globe and Mail – March 3, 2010

Death of more than 1,600 birds is central to case against Syncrude. Read more…

As Saudis court Asia, U.S. thirst for Canada's oil grows deeper
Globe and Mail – March 3, 2010

Saudi Arabia is increasingly targeting its oil exports to fast-growing Asian economies, and Canadian producers are picking up the slack as Saudi exports to the U.S. tumble. Read more…

Fresh thinking on going public
Calgary Herald – March 3, 2010

It's been a long time since there has been an equity deal of that size done in the energy space on the producing side; big exploration and production companies just don't seem to do the big equity deals anymore. Read more…

The Brewing Tempest Over Wind Power
Wall Street Journal – March 2, 2010

The Obama administration has made the increased use of wind power to generate electricity a top priority. In 2009 alone, U.S. wind generation capacity increased by 39%. But more wind power means more giant turbines closer to more people. And if current trends continue, that spells trouble. Read more…

Regulatory lawyer Lars H. Olthafer joins Blakes Energy Group
Law Fuel – March 1, 2010

“Lars’ background as a civil engineer and his expertise as a regulatory lawyer make him a real asset to the Blakes energy practice,” said Brock Gibson, the Firm’s Chair. “He will add further strength to our practice, which is already one of the leading energy groups in Canada.” Read more…