SaskPower packs the room with contractors and suppliers, eager for work on coal refurbishments
The same day the legislative session wrapped up in Regina, with fiery rhetoric about how horrible it would be if Saskatchewan refurbished its coal-fired power plants, a seminar was held in Estevan for suppliers who were eager to work on that very project.
Adam Waterous is asked if he is pessimistic or optimistic on the Canadian oil industry with all the government announcements lately.
He summarizes it pretty well stating that if he were an investor, he would probably be looking at the USA instead of Canada. pic.twitter.com/NqLX0USlxx
— bu/ac (@buperac) May 17, 2026
The World Turned Upside Down: Coal workers go to Legislature to take issue with NDP’s stance on coal
In the musical Hamilton, there’s part of a song that goes, “The World Turned Upside Down.” And one could be forgiven for thinking that, when it comes to politics, unions, and power generation in Saskatchewan.
In subsequent press scrums, 26 union members from two unions stood behind the SaskPower minister, but none stood behind NDP SaskPower critic.
NDP calls for apples-to-apples comparison, but when that’s done, their coal costs mirror the government’s
Usually when the public galleries of the legislature are filled with union members, it’s almost always because they’re not happy with the government. But on May 11, 26 union members and two mayors were there not to take issue with the government, but with the opposition.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers respond to NDP coal position: “A deliberate misrepresentation of costs”
It turns out if the NDP wants your job to disappear, they don’t get your support. Imagine that? As in, if they want your house to lose half or more of its value, you to lose your job, and would rather spend money on gas from Alberta or wind and solar, what would you think?
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Wait, isn’t this how it was done before?
Feds want pipeline projects reviewed by energy regulator instead of impact agency
Also
Pipeline company Enbridge unfazed by rival oil shipping projects
NDP say coal reburbs will cost $26 billion, but applying the same methodologies to their own plan comes up with similar numbers
Now Hiring: Project Greenland. “Stampede Drilling Inc. is headed north for Project Greenland, part of a major Arctic drilling campaign, and we’re looking for a tough, experienced crew ready to take on the cold and get the job done right.”
If this makes you think of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous ad, I’m with you. That one said, “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.”
*Note – due to a glitch, this is a republished post.
Beck says she misspoke on LNG for power generation, asks about coal refurbishment costs
“Mr. Speaker, I’m going to stand in my place today and do something that is sometimes hard for politicians — particularly, it seems, for the Premier — and I’m going say that when I said LNG, I misspoke. I meant natural gas, Mr. Speaker.” – Carla Beck
Japan needs Canadian crude oil, but can’t get it. Why?
There’s no additional export capacity. That’s why Japan is making rare purchases of crude from Mexico. pic.twitter.com/xV5NZeDQza
— Anas Alhajji (@anasalhajji) May 3, 2026
Your second juxtapose of the day.
🚨 BOOM! PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST SIGNED A MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT FOR A NEW TRANSPORTER PIPELINE!
“This is similar to the old Keystone XL pipeline. It’s going to massively expand our ability to move oil around North America. It’s a huge deal for long-term energy dominance and… pic.twitter.com/yHj4sdMwQI
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 30, 2026
I want a new country.
As I was sifting through the influencer pulp this morning on the UAE decision to leave OPEC (and decided to sit it out), I stumbled upon this chart from the just released OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin.
Let’s zoom in.
Blue is crude price, red is tax, coral is industry profit margin.
Related.
Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund has ‘no plans’ to reduce US assets, per FT
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) April 29, 2026
Boundary Dam Unit 4 fired up on April 22, and it’s more significant than you might think
Up until now, the coal-fired power refurbishment may have seemed like a lot of talk. On Wednesday, April 22, it became real. And that’s significant for a number of reasons.
Not the least of which is it is in total defiance of federal coal regulations. Saskatchewan is giving Ottawa the bird.
Supreme Court rules for Michigan in its fight to shut down an aging energy pipeline. This pipeline moves a LOT of Saskatchewan oil.
Enbridge gets federal approval for $4B natural gas pipeline expansion in B.C.
What you need to know about the new Enbridge LNG pipeline approval
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says fracking opponents are drowning out other voices
Oh, now the Liberals need Alberta oil and gas…
To use as leverage to protect the Dairy Cartel and eastern manufacturing. https://t.co/WpjjkJBSz6
— David Staples (@DavidStaplesYEG) April 25, 2026
Brian Zinchuk: LNG, the NDP’s electrical plan and Spaceballs
End of series on NDP’s electrical plan:
Digging deep on the NDP’s “Grid & Growth” plan for Saskatchewan’ electrical grid, Part 3: Wind, Solar, Storage, Transmission & Interties
Digging deep on the NDP’s “Grid & Growth” plan for Saskatchewan’ electrical grid, Part 4: Governance, Labour, Carbon Taxes & Rates
SaskPower minister responds to NDP Grid and Growth Plan
Also:
SaskPower and Bruce Power sign memorandum of understanding to inform Saskatchewan large reactor technology assessment
Frontier Centre for Public Policy: Lee Harding: Canada is losing billions by holding back its oil and gas industry
Op-Ed: Del Mondor: Well…that was an interesting 39 days of people finding out about the Strait of Hormuz
Please name the last wind farm to do this:
Cenovus Energy Invests $2 Million in Lakeland College
I spent 11 hours working on this story, which I broke into four parts. These are the first two, the next two will come out early next week.
The NDP again want to see coal-fired power go away, “as practical.” The want to convert coal plants to natural gas, even though Saskatchewan has lots of coal but not much in the way of natural gas anymore. We drilled ten gas wells over the last decade, and Alberta did that many by noon today.
There is of course the obligatory massive buildout of wind and solar, and storage. And just coincidentally, three hours after the press conference, wind output in Alberta fell to next to nothing, again.
Digging deep on the NDP’s “Grid & Growth” plan for Saskatchewan’ electrical grid, Part 1
NDP want to increase net-metering rate
Also:
Jim Warren: A History of Oil Production and Price Crises 1973-1991
Cushion the blow? That sounds like the Feds will hand out free Squishmallows at the gas pumps. Could’ve had some pipelines, but it’s getting a bit late even for that. An end to the industrial carbon tax would help, but I’m not holding my breath.
Oil prices have surged since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, averaging more than $1.80 per litre across Canada today, compared with about $1.32 a year ago.
Carney says his government wants to help “cushion the blow” for Canadians.
Tammy Nemeth & Ron Wallace: Two standards for one Canada
Another tale of what’s good for Eastern Canada differs significantly from what’s allowed for Western Canada.
Energy Realities Podcast: The World On Edge Fuel Rationing Begining
Stampede Drilling is going to wildcat in Greenland – and that’s no joke
Stampede Drilling, originally founded in Estevan, is sending a drilling rig to Greenland, yes, Greenland, to drill for oil. This is about as wildcat as you can possibly get, in one of the most inaccessible and hostile places on the planet.
This is NOT an April Fool’s joke, either.
(For those unfamiliar with the term, wildcatting means drilling for oil or gas in an area not previously developed. It’s a highly risky venture.) https://glossary.slb.com/terms/w/wildcat