Energy and how it is captured and consumed is barely viable in tar sands production. While the amount of oil in places such as the tar sands in Alberta or the Orinoco Belt in Venezuela may have deposits of similar size to the reserves of countries such as Saudi Arabia or Iraq, the return of new energy after expending energy in production is not even close. In Iraq, the process of using one barrel of oil generates 100 new barrels. In the tar sands, estimates of 3 to 1 and even as low as 1.5 to 1 have been made. Offsetting the net energy loss would require minimally 25-30 tar sands facilities for one Saudi plant operating at the same capacity.
Application to build a Nuclear Reactor in Northern Alberta/Peace River
Shaun Polczer, CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2007
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=d5f7f6ae-00ce-4...
The prospect of a nuclear-fuelled Alberta moved closer to reality after a Calgary-based company filed for a licence to build the province's first reactor.
Squeezing oil from stones
There are vast reserves of oil trapped within Alberta's rockbed - the trick is getting it out
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070822.ROILSANDS22/TP...
NORVAL SCOTT
August 22, 2007
CALGARY -- OSUM Oil Sands Corp. believes it might have the answer to one of the oil patch's most perplexing problems - extracting the billions of barrels of crude trapped in Alberta's limestone deposits.
Syncrude ordered to cut emissions from smelly pond
Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:13 PM EDT143
http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&stor...
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Syncrude Canada Ltd has been ordered to clean up a settling pond at its northern Alberta oil sands project after it began emitting ammonia and small amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas, Alberta environmental regulators said on Tuesday.
No security and no prosperity
The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2007
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/letters/story.html?id=d40a2d...
On Aug. 22, there was a community forum on George W. Bush and Stephen Harper's "Security and Prosperity Partnership". The guest speaker was Peter Julian, NDP member of Parliament for Burnaby-New Westminster and critic on international trade.
This "security and prosperity partnership" doesn't offer security or prosperity for the majority of Canadians -- quite the opposite.
Higher CO{-2} May Imperil Grasslands
Scientists warn of dire consequences for grazing areas
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/08/28/3461/
by Alan Zarembo
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere might be contributing to the conversion of the world’s grasslands - critical for livestock grazing - into a landscape of useless woody shrubs, according to a study released Monday.
By artificially doubling carbon dioxide levels over enclosed sections of the Colorado prairie, researchers created a dramatic rise in Artemisia frigida, commonly known as fringed sage. 0828 03
Prentice to stay on Mackenzie pipeline project
Decision provides continuity on complex issue, say proponents
Last Updated: Friday, August 17, 2007 | 10:29 AM CT
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2007/08/17/nwt-prentice.html
Industry Minister Jim Prentice will continue working on the Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline project, even though he is no longer Indian and northern affairs minister — a move that has pleased pipeline proponents and continued to frustrate critics.
Breaks a danger in proposed pipeline
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/08/27/news/opinion/letters/...
Aug 27, 2007 - 05:27:25 CDT
By RAMONA KLEIN
Oriska
Canada wants to build a 1,830-mile, 30-inch crude oil pipeline, pumping 435,000 barrels a day or more, across 218 miles of North Dakota. This directly affects about 600 landowners, neighbors and anybody using water in this part of the state.
A methane battle is brewing
By Andrew Findlay
Publish Date: August 23, 2007
http://www.straight.com/article-106704/a-methane-battle-is-brewing
Back in 1978, a young Wade Davis scored the job of his dreams. Hired as a park ranger to explore and map B.C.'s newly established Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park, he had a wonderfully vague job description: wilderness assessment and public relations. In two seasons he "related" to fewer than a dozen visitors.
Nuclear plant plan draws fire
Environmentalists question impact on area land and water; company touts 'clean, safe, reliable' power
Jamie Hall, The Edmonton Journal; With files from the Calgary Herald
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=107a03c7-...
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
EDMONTON - Energy Alberta Corporation has chosen Peace River as the site of a proposed nuclear power plant.
Methane dispute reignites in B.C.
WENDY STUECK
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070822.RSHELL22/TPSto...
August 22, 2007
VANCOUVER -- A group of protesters, including members of the Tahltan and Iskut Indian bands, blocked a road in northwestern British Columbia yesterday, preventing Royal Dutch Shell PLC crews from heading into a contested region to do road repair work and reigniting a debate over coal bed methane exploration in the area.
