This week our guest is Jason Schneider, Director, Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Reeve of Vulcan County in Southern Alberta. The RMA is a progressive, independent association committed to meeting the diverse and changing needs of Alberta’s 69 counties and municipal districts. Since 1909, the RMA has helped rural municipalities advocate for strong, effective local government.  The RMA did not ask for a pause on new permits for renewables projects in Alberta; however, they do have concerns that they hope the inquiry will tackle, including the use of prime agricultural land for renewables projects and a lack of plans for reclamation and cleanup. Jason is also an elected official in Vulcan County. Vulcan County is conveniently located close to Calgary and Lethbridge in southwest Alberta. Including the towns and rural areas, the total population is about 7,000 people. The County covers an area of about 6.5 times larger than Calgary. Vulcan County currently has four renewable projects operating or under construction, approximately six approved projects, and about a dozen more in the pre-approval, early proposal stages.   Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Jason:  What is the scale of the renewable projects in Vulcan County? Who benefits financially from the projects? What are some of RMA’s concerns with the current process for approving and permitting renewables projects?  Is the building of transmission lines also a concern? What are the requirements for reclamation of the projects? If the projects are on private land, why is reclamation a concern of the municipality? Does social media and misinformation contribute to opposition to renewable projects? If so, what is the best way to communicate accurate information to citizens?  What changes would you like to see from the Alberta Utilities Commission's (AUC) inquiry on the development of renewables projects?   Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify 

This week our guest is Rob West, founder and CEO of Thunder Said Energy. Founded in 2019, the firm aims to help decision-makers find economic opportunities in the energy transition. Rob lives nine time zones away in Estonia and is an uber-productive energy expert, covering a wide range of topics in his consultancy.  Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie asked Rob: What are your views on the likely demand for oil and gas in 2050? Assuming that oil and gas demand remains relatively high, is it still possible to achieve the current climate targets?  Do you think the cost of direct air capture (DAC) can be further reduced?  What are some of the technologies and solutions that are most effective in reducing GHG emissions at the lowest cost?  You have been warning about an energy shortage for some time, is this still a concern, especially considering that the energy markets have been relatively well-supplied in the past year? Do you think fusion energy can become commercial?   Other content referenced in this podcast:  Thunder Said Energy blog on the supply and demand for global energy and the concerns about under-supply: https://thundersaidenergy.com/downloads/global-energy-supply-demand-balance/ Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/  Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas Podcast Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify  

On October 13th, Canada’s top court ruled that Canada’s federal Impact Assessment Act (also known as Bill C-69 and sometimes called the “no-more-pipelines act”) is unconstitutional, with a 5-2 decision. To learn more about the decision and the implications for major projects in Canada and future environmental policy, we welcome Sander Duncanson, Partner, Regulatory, Indigenous, and Environmental at Osler to the podcast. Osler is a Canadian business law firm.   Sander was one of the authors of “Supreme Court of Canada finds the federal Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional,” a briefing published by Osler the day of the ruling.    Next, on the podcast, we talk with Chris Severson-Baker, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, a Canadian environmental organization.  Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Chris: Have affordability issues reduced the focus on climate as a top concern? Do you see scenarios, such as the IEA’s Net Zero Scenario, which assume a rapid decline in oil and natural gas demand as realistic? Do you agree with Alberta’s moratorium on new permits for renewable projects? In your opinion, does Canada’s oil and gas industry need a cap on its greenhouse gas emissions? What is Pembina’s position on developing Canada’s LNG export market? Do you view the plan for Canada to reach net-zero electricity by 2035 as achievable? What are your expectations for the upcoming COP28 meeting in Dubai?  Other content referenced in this podcast:  Danielle Smith’s statement about the Supreme Court Ruling on X (formerly Twitter) Pembina’s 2023 Alberta Climate Summit on October 26 in Calgary  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify

This week, our guest is the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta. There are some important federal policies under development with implications for the province of Alberta, including Ottawa’s oil and gas emissions cap and the Clean Electricity Regulation (CER) that aims to move Canada to net-zero electricity by 2035. The Alberta government has also put a six-month moratorium, until the end of February 2024, on approvals of new renewable power projects. Here are some of the questions Peter and Jackie asked Premier Smith:From an energy perspective, how could the Alberta Sovereignty Act be used to respond to Ottawa’s policies?  What do you say to people who think the oil and gas industry is not reducing emissions fast enough, and therefore more policy is required?A cap on oil and gas emissions, asking for a 42% reduction below 2019 levels by 2030, could cause production curtailments with negative implications for provincial revenues and oil and gas companies; how will this get reconciled? What led Alberta to put a temporary moratorium on new permits for wind and solar projects? Why do you think the federal government's proposed Clean Electricity Regulation isbad for Alberta? Why did you launch a national campaign to bring awareness to the issue with the clean electricity policy? Carbon capture and storage (CCS)project spending in Alberta is moving slower than most people anticipated; why is that, and can the province help? Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify

The 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) was held in Calgary from September 17 to 21, 2023. The conference is the world’s leading assembly for the petroleum industry. This week on the podcast, Jackie and Peter discuss some conference themes, including the lively discussion on the future of oil demand and the decarbonization of oil and gas.  They also debate whether the industries’ messaging about the likelihood of higher oil and gas demand in the future needs to be adjusted to address the concerns this raises for achieving climate goals.Jackie and Peter also share interviews they took part in at the event, including:·       Shaikh Nawaf S. Al-Sabah, the Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of                     Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (“KPC”)·       Mark Thomas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bapco Energies·        Jyoti Gondek, Calgary’s Mayor·       Joy Romero, Executive Advisor Innovation at Canadian Natural Resources Limited             and President at CRIN (Clean Resources Innovation Network)·       Kevin Krausert, CEO and Co-Founder at Avatar Innovations Inc.·       Gillian McCormack, National Director, Clients & Industries at Bennett Jones·       Taryn Humphreys, Director of Business Development at Qube Technologies·       Eric Petursson, Director of Commercial at Entropy Inc.·       Katie Smith-Parent, Business Development, Industry Diversification at Spartan                   Controls·       Cindy Yeilding, Director, Denbury Inc. ·       Harrie Vredenburg, Professor of Strategy and Sustainability, Haskayne School of                 Business, Research Fellow, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary·       Dean Tucker, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chair of the Board for the World                   Petroleum CongressContent referenced in this podcast:  ·       See Peter’s art exhibit at Heritage Park, titled “Those Who Have Seen the Invention          Pronounce it Wonderful: A Modernist View of the History of Light”, learn more                     here: https://heritagepark.ca/exhibits/history-of-lightbulb/Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify

The 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) will be held in Calgary from September 17 to 21, 2023. The conference takes place every three years and has been described as the world’s leading assembly for the petroleum industry. The organizers are expecting 15,000 visitors and 5,000 delegates from over 100 countries.  This week, we hear from Matthew Crocker, Senior Vice President, Product, Strategy and New Assets, for ExxonMobil’s Low Carbon Solutions business. Matt, along with others from ExxonMobil will be at the WPC in Calgary.  Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Matt: ExxonMobil’s Global Outlook projects oil and natural gas will still make up more than half the world’s energy supply in 2050; why is ExxonMobil’s view of oil and gas demand more than some other scenarios such as the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE)? Considering the amount of oil and natural gas demand in ExxonMobil’s Global Outlook, do you think it is possible to keep long-term global warming to less than 2°C? What was ExxonMobil’s intention for acquiring Denbury, a developer of CCUS solutions and enhanced oil recovery? What other investments is ExxonMobil making in CCS? Is ExxonMobil investing in biofuels? How is policy risk factored in when ExxonMobil makes low-carbon investments? Content referenced in this podcast:  The World Petroleum Congress registration information: https://www.24wpc.com/  ExxonMobil Global Outlook: Our view to 2050    Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify

The 24th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) will be held in Calgary from September 17 to 21, 2023. The conference takes place every three years and has been described as the world’s leading assembly for the petroleum industry. The organizers are expecting 15,000 visitors and 5,000 delegates from over 100 countries.  This week, we hear from Lisa Baiton, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), and Mike Sommers, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute (API). Both organizations will be at the WPC in Calgary.  Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked: With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has energy security become a greater focus in North America? Does the United States still consider Canadian oil and gas foreign? With the recent run-up in oil prices, are you concerned about how consumers will react to higher prices for petroleum fuels?  Is the oil and gas industry reducing GHG emissions? What is your response to people who want oil and gas consumption to end soon? Do you think greenfield oil or gas pipelines can be built between the United States and Canada?  What is the outlook for LNG exports from the US and Canada?  Content referenced in this podcast:The World Petroleum Congress registration information: https://www.24wpc.com/  The Canadian conventional oil and natural gas sector emissions fell 24 percent in the last decade (CAPP analysis).  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify

Before you know it, summer is gone and its back to school!  Peter and Jackie look back on the energy headlines of summer 2023.   They start the podcast by discussing the new nuclear capacity announced in Ontario, with three additional small modular reactors (SMRs) announced and the potential for a significant expansion at the Bruce Power nuclear plant.  The excitement over room-temperature superconductors and another net-energy gain nuclear fusion reaction got their attention.  Next, a review of why oil prices rallied in July and the outlook for the supply-demand fundamentals for the remainder of the year. Finally, Peter and Jackie cover some additional news on the pause for new renewable energy permits in Alberta, as well as some feedback and clarification on the draft Clean Electricity Regulations.Content referenced on this podcast:·       Canada’s Draft Clean Electricity Regulation (released August 10, 2023) ·       The Alberta Government’s Frequently Asked Questions on the Renewables Inquiry and the Related Pause (August 25, 2023)Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:X (Twitter): @arcenergyinst LinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify

The United Kingdom (UK) has had to balance its net-zero ambitions with energy security after suffering from a price shock in 2021 that increased the cost of energy and forced them to stop importing Russian natural gas. This week, Lord Martin Callanan, the UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance) at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, joins the podcast. His responsibilities include CCUS, hydrogen, green finance, energy efficiency, and emissions trading. Here are some of the questions Jackie and Peter asked Lord Callanan: How do you respond to those that oppose the licensing of new North Sea oil and gas developments? Has the UK changed its policies or subsidies to compete with the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?  How can a carbon-market approach with price volatility compete against the certainty of the IRA-style, subsidy-based policy? How does the UK structure offshore wind, nuclear, CCUS, and hydrogen incentives to attract capital?   Content referenced on this podcast:  See the live power generation on the UK’s National Grid: https://grid.iamkate.com/ See the latest carbon clearing prices in the UK Emissions Auctions: https://www.ice.com/marketdata/reports/278  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteSubscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify

The podcast is back after a summer break! This week, Vittoria Bellissimo, President and CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) joins the podcast to discuss the recent developments in Canada’s electricity markets. On August 4th the Alberta government announced that Alberta is pausing new approvals for large-scale wind and solar projects for six months. Peter and Jackie asked Vittoria about the industry's reaction to this news and if a pause was required to address the concerns raised by the government, such as the impact on pristine landscapes, reclamation security requirements, and the implications for the reliability of the power grid.  A week later, the Canadian federal government released draft Clean Electricity Regulations. The policy aims to create a net zero electricity system in Canada by 2035.  Starting in 2025, the draft rules require all new power generation assets to have low emissions (limit of 30 tonnes of CO2/GWh) by 2035. Natural gas generation is permitted if the emissions are captured or if the facility is used for short periods or in emergencies.  Natural gas power plants built before 2025 can continue to operate with unabated emissions until they are 20 years old. Peter and Jackie discuss the draft policy, including the negative response from provinces with high-emitting power systems, including Alberta and Saskatchewan. Content referenced on this podcast: Canada’s Draft Clean Electricity Regulation (released August 10, 2023) Electricity Transformation Canada Conference is being held October 23-25 in Calgary  Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media:X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research InstituteInstagram: @arcenergyresearchinstituteYouTube: @arcenergyresearchinstitute9600Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsGoogle podcastsAmazon musicSpotify