Was it Lewis with his anti-everything policies, or Beck, with her more pragmatic you-re-a-nut-job-stay-away response?
Beck’s frosty letter to new federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis over energy and resource policies
“The positions that you have taken when it comes to natural resource development are ideological and unrealistic. They would hurt Saskatchewan workers, communities, and industries.” – Carla Beck
On coal refurbishments: NDP focus on cost, Sask Party focus on reliability
The Iran War is causing an energy crisis: Doomberg on Decouple and Soar Financially
Pipeline Online columnist Bronwyn Eyre was presented with the inaugural Cartier-Macdonald award from the Canadian Constitution Foundation. Here’s her acceptance speech:
Brian Zinchuk: Did the Multi-Lateral Well Program shoot ourselves in the foot when it comes to provincial revenues?
Also, Decouple Media: The Reactor Canada Forgot How to Sell
Three in-depth pieces on coal-fired power today:
NDP say coal refurbishment will double electricity rates by 2050, prefer natural gas and renewables instead
NDP analysis of coal refurbishment and its impact on rates, in depth
SaskPower Minister responds to NDP study on refurbishing coal and its impact on rates
In cased you missed this major related story on Monday:
BREAKING: Data centre hinges on dispatchable baseload power, including coal refurbishment
I would like to point out that the Leader Post, CTV and CBC failed to mention, or perhaps even realize, that it will be coal powering that new data centre in Regina. Where did they think that power is going to come from? I know! Solar, at night!
BREAKING: Data centre hinges on dispatchable baseload power, including coal refurbishment. Without coal power, it’s unlikely this would be happening.
Also, I will be posting for tomorrow morning two in-depth stories on the NDP’s study into the impact of coal refurbishment on SaskPower rates.
Weekend Watch: The Iran War Expert: I Simulated The Iran War for 20 Years. Here’s What Happens Next.
While watching this, consider if the Iran War does become a forever war, what will it’s impact be on oil production, delivery through the Strait of Hormuz or lack thereof, the world economy, Canadian and Saskatchewan oil production could be profound and last years? Could this lead to a global recession, but good times for our oilpatch? Remember the $147 WTI barrel of July, 2008, led to the global financial crisis that September. Some of us are still bearing the scars of that.
I know I am.
Saskatchewan is the battleground between the AtkinsRealis (SNC-Lavalin/former AECL) CANDU reactor and the Cameco/Brookfield-owned Westinghouse AP1000 reactor. I’d digging as deep as I can to provide context for Saskatchewan decision makers who will be making this decision. In recent weeks I had two podcasts on the CANDU. This is the first on the Westinghouse. What’s really significant here is the Westinghouse ownership is now fully Canadian companies, even though the design is American. And in November or so, Trump’s administration said they’d build 10 of them.
Pipeline Online Podcast Ep. 31: Dr. Grant Isaac, Pres. & COO of Cameco on SK buying Westinghouse reactors. There were technical difficulties which shortened our time, so we’re going to take another run at it in the near future.
Also:
This is a really good discussion on LNG:
Decouple Media: The Terrible, No Good week for LNG
Black mark on industry (I hate it when this happens):
Alberta landowners take stand over years of missed payments by delinquent oil company
It turns out Pipeline Online isn’t the only one to use a Timbit as a unit of monetary measure. Maybe they got the idea from Pipeline Online? Here’s the Canadian Press story:
What will the carbon price cost the oilsands? A Timbit per barrel, one analysis says
Brian Zinchuk: Place your bets! What will the oil price be due to the Iran war?
I’m guessing oil prices are going to shoot up really high, in short order.
I just got in my inbox this morning:
But there was “No business case” for Canadian LNG. Or Energy East, for that matter.
Also:
AtkinsRéalis’ Case for CANDU Part 2: A Canada-wide fleet purchase?
On the topic of nuclear power: Mike Harris, former premier of Ontario, will be talking nuclear power generation on the Pipeline Online Podcast on Tues., Mar. 3, at 10 a.m. Join us live on X at https://x.com/Pipeline_Online. I plan on asking about the big picture considerations on nuclear power.
BREAKING: US and Israel attack Iran, Trump lists 47 years of hostility as reason
I transcribed Trump’s entire speech – a declaration of war without calling it a declaration of war. That’s soooo 1940s, I guess.
TransAlta signs Alberta data centre deal with CPP Investments and Brookfield.
Strengthening Saskatchewan’s Grid: Harrison releases plan for electrical transmission upgrades
The NDP take on recent SaskPower announcements and the impact on power bills
On the topic of Alberta succession:
Herb Pinder: Uncertainty begets opportunity
Brian Crossman: Alberta (and Saskatchewan?) Separation
From the column:
“The list of countries and empires that have broken up over that past several hundred years is not a short one. Sudan split into two countries by referendum in 2011. Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Egypt and Syria and many others. The Soviet Union, the British Empire are gone, the United States came close in 1861, and there is no promise that the republic will endure forever. Will Canada, or the world map look the same in 50 to 100 years? I’m betting not, and it seems pretty arrogant to think otherwise.”
Some may question why is this relevant to Saskatchewan? It is my understanding that recent polling showed support for separation a few weeks ago was 2 per cent higher in Saskatchewan than it is in Alberta. So it’s relevant.
Here’s a thought experiment which could turn into a column: If Alberta and possibly Saskatchewan were to separate – do they really need much of a military? To defend against who, the pot smokers of Vancouver? Do they need a navy? Nope. No water, unless they snag Prince Rupert and Kitimat – which could happen, if the rednecks invade the Left Coast. But even then, no real navy would be needed. Air force? Probably not much of one for that, either. Who are they going to bomb, Timmins, Ont? That’s a lot of money saved right there, on top of ditching equalization.
And regarding wind power generation, I just posted this.
For 52 minutes straight on Saturday, Alberta’s 1760 wind turbines had zero output and couldn’t charge a cellphone
…. and its’s still showing zero right now, for at least another 24 minutes, and counting.
Herb Pinder: The West also has ‘special status’
Murray Lyons: Build Saskatchewan’s big reactors on Codette Lake or Tobin Lake
Should Saskatchewan buy the CANDU reactor when it comes to building large-scale nuclear in this province? Carl Marcotte Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Business Development at CANDU Energy, part of AtkinsRealis, makes the pitch. Building large reactors will only be the largest, most expensive decision made by this province for generations.
Pipeline Online Podcast Ep. 29: Carl Marcotte, CANDU Energy
I’m hoping to get Westinghouse on in a future episode, as the main competitor.
Related: Cameco CEO on whirlwind Washington trip for talks on reactor deal
Also – Jim Warren: Critical questions about the Alberta-Ottawa pipeline MOU remain unanswered
Enbridge unfazed by prospect of more Venezuelan oil headed to Gulf Coast
TC Energy sets growth sights on U.S. data centre boom
Bronwyn Eyre: Why the fed-prov ‘MOU’ is ‘Mission Outstandingly Unlikely’
Things have been looking really bleak for southwest Saskatchewan’s oilpatch. If this were a medical drama, this would be where the doctor puts the paddles on the dying patient’s chest, yells, “Clear!” and shocks the patient.
We might have just seen a little blip on the heart monitor with this land sale.
Whew! Southwest Saskatchewan sees more interest in this land sale than in all of 2025 combined
And yes, it is that bad. Most oilfield services in that region have either shut down or are barely hanging on. I spent an hour yesterday talking to the owner of several businesses in that area.
What if your job, your mortgage, your ability to feed your kids hinged on a 12-year-old’s climate crusade?
Because yet again, for Saskatchewan coal workers, it does.
Oh, and two weeks ago, CBC gave that very kid an award for their activism, for this very case. And I use “they” for a reason.
BREAKING: Round two: Appeal filed on coal decision ruling.
At question: Do a 12 year old, a podcaster and someone who doesn’t even live here get to kill 1100 coal-related jobs? According the Court of King’s Bench, no, they don’t. Governments get to make those sorts of decisions, and can’t be second guessed by the courts.
Well, these applicants are taking a second round at second guessing.
Here’s the full meal deal on large nuclear reactors for Saskatchewan.
Also:
It’s the busiest time of the year for oil drilling in Saskatchewan.
Pipeline Online Podcast: Ep. 28 Senator Pamela Wallin