Economics drive tar sands operations. Record highs in oil prices, though still fluctuating, will make tar sand oil ‘economical’ (read: profitable) well into the future. Government subsidies to this environmentally disastrous process remain in place from a time when the federal government was sponsoring research into the possibility of recovering this oil. Stock prices of tar sands developers grow the more conventional oil is scarce.
This unsigned editorial is not in the slightest endorsed by this website, but reproduced for your information.
-M
Don't react as protesters want
Edmonton Journal
October 7, 2009
How should industry, government and ordinary Albertans deal with Greenpeace protesters trying to put a spotlight on an industry they view as an environmental crime?
Demand their arrest?Ignore them? Maybe even learn from them?
Northern Alberta economy braces for next boom
By Archie McLean, Canwest News Service
October 3, 2009
The economic slowdown has been good for Fort McMurray. But with things picking up again in the oilsands, many wonder if they’re prepared to weather the next boom.
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — In recent years, simply treating employees well wasn't enough to keep them serving customers in Fort McMurray.
Reaching far and wide for workers
Canada broadens scope to alleviate skills shortage
By Derek Sankey, For the Calgary Herald
July 25, 2008
The new reality for Canadian companies looking to recruit workers increasingly means casting a wider net across the world while government and education leaders lead the charge overseas in the face of economic restraints.
'H2Oil' Tears up the Tar Sands
Documentary focusing on Fort Chipewyan becomes a powerful tool for climate change activists.
By Dawn Paley, October 8, 2009, TheTyee.ca
When Lionel Lepine's plane landed in London, England in August after a long flight from northern Alberta, his initial reaction was culture shock. It was Lepine's first time flying overseas. The occasion was the Climate Camp for Action, an event now in its third year, which brings together hundreds of grassroots activists who are willing to take direct action in the fight against climate change.
Behold! Canada's most disgusting export
Nothing like Alberta's's revolting oilsands to destroy your optimism
By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Are you having one of those days? One of those moments where you feel like you've endured a simply relentless onslaught of negative news and economic hardship coupled to endless rounds of cretinous politicians -- all of whom enjoy fully paid health care on your tab -- debating whether or not you'll be able to afford to see a doctor ever again, all to the point where you say, you know what? I need just one more.
Enbridge to raise cost estimate on Pacific pipeline
Tue Oct 6, 2009
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO) expects to raise the cost estimate for the Northern Gateway pipeline, last pegged at around C$4 billion ($3.77 billion), when it seeks approvals for the oil sands export line later this year, it said on Tuesday.
Millions at stake in oilsands dispute
By Kelly Cryderman, Calgary Herald
October 2, 2009
Up to $100 million could be at stake this year in a dispute between the Alberta government and oilsands giants Suncor and Syncrude, according to auditor general Fred Dunn.
In his semi-annual report released Friday, Dunn said there's an ongoing tussle regarding whether the two long-lived oilsands operators can use a lower price for bitumen in their royalty calculations.
Suncor Says Oil Sands Becoming Increasingly Important
By Sonja Franklin and Doug Alexander
Oct. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Suncor Energy Inc. Chief Executive Officer Rick George said Alberta’s oil sands are increasingly important as a supplier of energy.
“As conventional oil worldwide becomes increasingly difficult to find, develop and more costly, the oil sands, the second-largest oil base in the world, will play a bigger and bigger role,” he said in a speech to the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto today.
North America Refining Industry to 2013: Investment Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts of All Active and Planned Refineries in North America
Summary
Suncor expanding in Sarnia
Published On Sat Oct 03 2009
SARNIA–Suncor Energy Inc. will spend about $120 million over the next year to double the production capacity of its St. Clair ethanol plant near Sarnia, to 400 million litres a year, the company announced Friday.
"This is great news for Suncor, for southern Ontario and for Canada," said Suncor president and CEO Rick George in a statement announcing the expansion.
