ARC ENERGY IDEAS

This week Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer at WestJet joins as our guest. The last few years have been very difficult for airlines. COVID restrictions caused the industry to shrink overnight, then in the summer of 2022 people started traveling again but the airports and airlines were collectively challenged by the surge in demand.  On top of all that pressure and change, airlines are being asked to reduce their GHG emissions.  Here are some of the questions that Peter and Jackie asked Alexis: How did WestJet manage during the pandemic and the pent-up demand in 2022? How is WestJet dealing with greater competition in the Canadian market? What are the advantages of the new planes that WestJet is purchasing?  What commitments have you made to reduce GHG emissions? What technologies will be needed to achieve these reductions? Carbon offsets are an option today, how many customers voluntarily purchase offsets for their flights?  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): The Ups and Downs of Aviation: An Interview with WestJet’s CEO (arcenergyinstitute.com)

This week Daniel Breton, President and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada (EMC) joins as our guest.  Prior to joining EMC, Daniel was an environmental activist and politician in Quebec. Here are some of the questions that Peter and Jackie asked Daniel: What percent of new cars in Canada are EVs now? Are you concerned about cost inflation and the lack of cars?  Which Canadian provinces are EV leaders and laggards?  The Liberal government wants EVs to make-up 60% of new car sales by 2030 and 100% by 2035 – are mandates a good idea? Is the Canadian government spending enough to build out EV charging infrastructure?   California had a power shortage in early September and some people said this is a sign they cannot add more EVs, is that a fair criticism? Content referenced in this podcast: EMC Canadian Provincial and Territorial Zero-Emission Vehicle Scorecard Link to Daniel Breton’s past books   Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): EVs in Canada: Are Mandates a Good Idea? (arcenergyinstitute.com)

This week our podcast was recorded at the Bennet Jones Lake Louise World Cup Business Forum. Our podcast guest  is the Honourable A. Anne McLellan, who was a speaker at the event and is currently Senior Advisor, Public Policy Group at Bennet Jones. Ms. McLellan joined Bennet Jones after a distinguished career in federal politics.  Ms. McLellan served four terms as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, holding numerous Minister positions during that time and was Deputy Prime Minister from 2003 to 2006. Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter asked Ms. McLellan: How does the United States Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) impact Canadian clean energy? Do you think Canada should develop plans to increase LNG exports to help Europe with their energy shortage? How do you view the growing divide between Western provinces and Ottawa?  Any thoughts on Alberta’s Sovereignty Act? Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): Canadian Energy, Politics and Western Alienation (arcenergyinstitute.com)

This week on the podcast our guest is Dr. Bassam Fattouh, Director of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES).  OIES is a world leading independent energy research institute specializing in advanced research into the economics and geopolitics of energy.  Dr. Bassam Fattouh is an expert on oil markets, including OPEC, the energy transition, and the economic environment of the Middle East.  Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter asked Dr. Fattouh: What are the challenges of energy transition for oil producers in the Middle East? Are they diversifying into new energy types and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)? Were you surprised by the latest OPEC+ decision to cut production by 2 MMB/d when the US and Europe are acting to reduce oil prices? How does the Middle East view US shale oil now?  Do you see a future for Russia in OPEC? The OIES publishes publicly available papers to help understand oil, natural gas, and energy transition including – solar, hydrogen, CCS, nuclear and much more. Please see their website: https://www.oxfordenergy.org/ Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/   To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): Energy Transition in the Middle East (arcenergyinstitute.com)

On this week’s podcast our guest is Mike Law, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO). Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter asked Mike: Are consumers exposed to the volatile power price in Alberta’s deregulated electric market?  Why are electricity prices in Alberta higher now? Are the costs for transmission too high? Is net-zero electricity by 2035 achievable?  What is the current status of the federal government’s Clean Electricity Standard?  In a deregulated market, how can Alberta ensure that enough clean electricity generation capacity is constructed by 2035?  Do you think a pan-Canadian grid is part of the solution for achieving net-zero electricity?  Other information referenced in this podcast: AESO’s Net Zero Emissions Pathways Report (June 2022) AESO’s Real Time Dashboard of Alberta’s Power System AESO Twitter @theAESO   Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): Spotlight on Alberta Power: An Interview with Mike Law, CEO at AESO (arcenergyinstitute.com)

This week on the podcast, Peter and Jackie talk about the news from the Federal Government’s Fall Economic Statement 2022.  The Government announced new incentives that will come into force in 2023, including credits for green electricity, clean hydrogen, energy storage and heat pumps, and a new fund to support private investment in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). They also introduced plans to develop incentives for manufacturing competitiveness. These incentives increase the opportunity for clean energy investing in Canada.   They also weighed in on President Biden’s recent threats of a windfall tax on oil and gas producers in the United States if they do not start using their profits for growing oil and gas production.  Next, they talk about the IEA’s latest World Energy Outlook.  The agency has revised down its outlooks for natural gas demand due to the events of the past year.    Finally, COP 27 has kicked off in Egypt this week. Do these meetings actually make a difference in reducing emissions? What will be the topics of discussion this year?  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/   To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): New Canadian Clean Energy Incentives and COP 27 (arcenergyinstitute.com)

Did you know that concrete is responsible for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, more than double those from aviation.   On this week’s podcast, Chris Stern the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at CarbiCrete introduces a made-in-Canada solution for addressing part of concrete’s greenhouse gas problem.  His company has developed a carbon-negative technology for producing precast concrete.  The precast market makes up about 30 percent of the total market for concrete. Here are some of the questions that Jackie and Peter asked Chris Stern: How much concrete does the world use each year? How are carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of traditional concrete and how can they be reduced? How is CarbiCrete’s product made?  How is CarbiCrete’s product carbon-negative? Do you receive carbon credits for removing emissions?   How long has it taken to develop your concrete process so far? Are customers concerned about the durability when new concrete mixes and processes are introduced? Content referenced in this podcast: CarbiCrete’s website  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): A Concrete Solution to Sequestering Carbon: An Interview with CarbiCrete (arcenergyinstitute.com)

This week on the podcast Peter and Jackie catch up on Peter’s trip to Europe.  First, they talk about the political changes, both in Europe and closer to home with new Premiers in both British Columbia and Alberta. Next, they switch to the topic of energy conservation in Europe.  Did Peter see any signs that people are saving energy?  Is energy affordability and conservation a focus of the conversation? Finally, they talk about the oil markets.  Prices have softened since reaching over $120/B in June and, as a result, OPEC+ announced they would cut their production in early October.  President Joe Biden warned there would be consequences due to the production cut. Jackie and Peter discuss the potential actions that the United States could take.  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/   To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): Catching up: Politics, European Energy Conservation and Oil Markets (arcenergyinstitute.com)

The stock markets have witnessed steep declines this year, inflation is at 40-year highs, central banks are increasing interest rates and recession fears are growing. To help explain what is next for the economy, Craig Alexander, President of Alexander Economic Views and Chief Economist & Executive Advisor at Deloitte Canada joins the podcast. Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie ask Craig:  How would you describe the rate of inflation we are seeing today? Labour shortages seem to be everywhere, where did the people go?   Do you expect a recession in the United States and in Canada? What is your outlook for Canadian housing prices? Why do equity markets suffer when interest rates increase? What policy is better for clean energy policy from an economics perspective, the American "carrots" or the Canadian "sticks"?  Deglobalization is occurring, what are the implications for the economy? Longer-term, are you feeling optimistic or pessimistic about the Canadian economy?  Content referenced in this podcast: Energyphile Vignette “Bullish About the New Energy Market”   Please review the ARC Energy Institute disclaimer. To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): About the Economy: Inflation, Equity Markets and Recession Fears (arcenergyinstitute.com)

This week, Peter Altmaier, Germany’s former Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy (2018-2021) visited Calgary to speak at the PETRONAS International Energy Speaker Series hosted by the Centre for Corporate Sustainability at the Haskayne School of Business with the University of Calgary. After the Petronas Energy Speaker Series, Peter sat down with Jackie to talk about Europe’s energy crisis.  Here are some of the questions Jackie asked Peter Altmaier: Why did Germany become so reliant on Russian gas? Did he ever fear a scenario that Russia would use natural gas as a weapon?  How significant is the loss of the Nord Stream pipelines? Has Russia shred its reputation as a reliable supplier of energy forever?  What do you expect the energy situation in Germany will be this winter? How important will clean hydrogen and hydrogen imports be for Germany in the future? What was your reaction to Chancellor Scholz’s recent visit to Canada, on the lack of East Coast LNG and the possibly of green hydrogen?   Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ To see a transcript of this podcast, visit the link (scroll part way down the page): An Interview with Peter Altmaier, Germany’s former Energy Minister (arcenergyinstitute.com)