Know your Saskatchewan winterfront regulations.
Seven days in a row, wind went to zero in Saskatchewan
UPDATED: For seven days in a row, SaskPower saw wind generation hit zero for part of the day
The story originally said five days. SaskPower got back to me and noted the streak continued Jan. 7 and 8 as well. So that’s a whole week with wind flatlining. Total, complete flatline for part of the day, each day. How do you power the hospital my wife is an ER nurse at with zero power? Inquiring minds would like to know?
Also:
Weaker oil prices should bring some relief to consumers in 2024: Analysts
and
Quick Dick McDick: Saskatchewan Winterfront Regulation
Bonus points for Quick Dick’s instruction on how to use the box from a Pilsner 2-4 for a winterfront. Nothing says Saskatchewan like a Pil box on your pickup
Lithium, helium, and conclusion of Moe interview
Saskatchewan’s Year in Energy: Premier Scott Moe, 2023: Part 4: Lithium, Helium, Conclusion
In the last year, two lithium companies are working on pilot projects for lithium commercialization. North American Helium increased its number of helium processing facilities from three to seven. Royal Helium, having just completed its first helium processing site in Alberta, may develop its Climax, Saskatchewan properties next.
Yesterday was the anniversary of one of the truck convoys that started it all
Five years ago today, 427 trucks rolled through Estevan, protesting Trudeau’s energy policies
Five years ago on Dec. 22, 427 semis, service rigs, bed trucks, crew trucks, pickups and everything in between showed up on a spur-of-the-moment to protest the energy policies of the Canadian federal Liberal government. It took less than 48 hours, from the time the decision was made to go ahead with a truck convoy protest in Estevan, until the first truck rolled out of Bert Baxter Transport’s yard.
… And the horse you rode in on: Sask on Guilbeault’s emissions cap
Cutting methane is one of the most cost-effective & impactful actions to tackle the climate crisis.
We announced strengthened methane regulations from the oil & gas sector to reach 75% less methane emissions by 2030, aligned with the U.S.https://t.co/FRw7N8oD9u#COP28 pic.twitter.com/5Zw7dyHsHz
— Steven Guilbeault (@s_guilbeault) December 4, 2023
Guilbeault’s latest application of a knee to the neck of the oil and gas industry in Canada:
Canada proposes new methane emissions rules for oil-and-gas sector
To which Saskatchewan responds:
‘A production cap by default’: Sask gov’t reacts to Guilbeault’s proposed methane regulations.
Ever hear about the Output Based Pricing? It’s basically a third form of carbon tax. Well, we’re going to use its proceeds to build reactors.
Saskatchewan to use Output Based Pricing to fund small modular reactor
In related news, in case you missed it Sunday night because I messed up my scheduling, a great column on Saskatchewan telling the feds to FU on the carbon tax on home heating:
A Job Well Done
The John Gormley Live show ends today after 25 years on the Saskatchewan airwaves. You can tune into the last half hour here at the “Listen Live” link.
We go back a long way, well before his years on the show, to his run in federal politics. Going to miss you, John — but if you ever feel the need to let off a little steam, there’s a guest blogger spot waiting.
Saskatchewan’s direct response to unfair application of the carbon tax: second reading
Here are the second reading speeches on the Saskatchewan bill which basically tells the federal government to F off on the carbon tax for home heating, for natural gas via SaskEnergy. There’s a speech from the government, and NDP opposition.
Saskatchewan says following the Net Zero by 2035 Clean Electricity Regulations are not possible, unaffordable, unconstitutional and unobtainable
In August, Steven Guilbeault released the draft Clean Electricity Regulations which mean to remake our entire country in just 11 years.
On Nov. 2, Saskatchewan told them where to go. Today, they said publicly how to get there.
Three stories:
‘It just isn’t possible’ – SaskPower Minister in-depth response to Clean Electricity Regulations.
SaskPower response to the Clean Electricity Regulations: ‘Not possible from technological, financial and logistical perspectives‘
Saskatchewan response to the Clean Electricity Regulations: Unaffordable, unconstitutional and unobtainable.
Saskatchewan lining up nuclear assistance
SaskPower signed a “master services agreement” with Ontario Power Generation and its subsidiary, Laurentis Energy Partners, on Monday, to develop small modular reactors in Saskatchewan. The most likely site is about six miles from my house in Estevan.
Later this morning, there will be a press conference where Saskatchewan lays out its case against the Clean Electricity Regulations. Watch for extensive coverage from Pipeline Online.
The Panama Canal is drying up, and Canada could have taken advantage with LNG, if we had any
If only we had completed some LNG terminals by now.
Also, why are hardly any drilling rigs working in Saskatchewan?
No, It’s Not Me
Saskatchewan talk show host, John Gormley announced on this morning’s show that he’s leaving on November 24th. I’ve known John since he ran for the PC nomination in the Battlefords, later overturning the NDP encumbent to serve a term as an MP with the Mulroney government.
Gormley leaves giant shoes to fill – especially as it concerns provincial politics.
Rawlco Radio’s John Gormley shared with listeners Wednesday morning that he is stepping away from his flagship radio show that has shaped Saskatchewan conversations for more than two decades.
While hesitant to call the move retiring, he is departing from the broadcast world to pursue other interests after marking a 25-year milestone in September. His last show is to air Nov. 24.
The big reveal as to his replacement is tomorrow.
Update: The new host will be former Regina City Police Chief, Evan Bray.
Buy local?
Cameco closed its purchase of 49% of nuclear reactor company Westinghouse. So if Saskatchewan chooses to build Westinghouse reactors, is that “buying local? even though those reactors were never designed here, nor were any of those parts made here, either?
Blog Notes
I’m having connectivity problems today and no promise from Sasktel that they’ll be here before Thursday. Therefore, blogging from my vantage point may be intermittent over the coming days. (There’s still admin coverage though, so don’t go getting cute in the comments).
Paying more for everything was the plan the whole time
Brian Zinchuk: To save the world, the Liberals got what they wanted, but now they don’t want what they got
Also, Saskatchewan MLA stand united on the carbon tax fight, even if not paying the carbon tax might be illegal.
The Power Of No
This is what we’ve been waiting for.
Transcript and more, at Pipeline Online.
Alberta Premier Smith reacts.
Meanwhile, over at NDP Xquarters..
The Children Are Our Future
Welcome to the classroom of Kelsey Middagh – “Grade 4 teacher at Ruth M. Buck #relationshipsfirst #socialjusticeadvocate she/her”
Premier Moe, we’re gonna need a bigger law.
Oops! Deleted her account. But the internet never forgets.
Convoy protests in 2019 bore fruit in 2023 with Supreme Court ruling
Right side of history: Two protest leaders from 2019 truck convoys react to “No More Pipelines Act” ruling.
But is that going to stop Steven Guilbeault from moving to cap oil and gas emissions? Hell no.
A farmer, a pump shop manager and a superintendent walk into a liquor store …
Getting caught up on some energy items from Pipeline Online:
Letter to the editor on why activity levels are so low in the Saskatchewan oilpatch
“How low?” you ask. Just 29 drilling rigs working in Saskatchewan Oct. 3 (10 years ago, that number would have been around 90. During the depths of the downturn, it would have been 40-50.)
Tammy Nemeth’s podcast talks about net-zero red tape for small and medium enterprises in Canada. You think you have paperwork now…
Enbridge’s CEO had a lot to say this week:
Enbridge CEO op-ed on delivering LNG to global markets, reducing global CO2 emissions and supporting energy security. (He did a long speech, which I’ll be posting verbatim, if I have a chance).
Enbridge CEO calls for national Indigenous loan guarantee program so they can buy into energy projects, like pipelines.
And what do we need pipelines for when rail works so well? Except for when it doesn’t. Undetected broken rail causes fiery crude-by-rail derailment.
And for something completely different: A farmer, a pump shop manager and a superintendent walk into a liquor store … and buy it. No joke.
Some ideas for how Saskatchewan could stimulate oil development
As a followup to yesterday’s column:
Brian Zinchuk: Some suggestions for the #Saskatchewan government to stimulate activity in the province’s oilpatch.
With oil prices at $94 a barrel, why is industry activity akin to when it was half of that?
In the last week I’ve spoke to some of the most knowledgeable people I know in the Saskatchewan oilpatch, business owners all, from Weyburn, Lloydminster and several from Estevan. There’s a rising chorus of dissatisfaction amongst them. Things should be booming in this province’s oilpatch, but they aren’t. And this disquiet could threaten the governing Saskatchewan Party with the potential loss of a key portion of its base.
Watch for a Part 2 to this tomorrow.