Tag Archives: Andrea Reimer

Energy

Document reveals influence of oil and gas lobbyists on B.C. officials after Indigenous Rights ruling

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

In the wake of a precedent-setting Indigenous Rights case in June 2021, B.C.’s ministry of energy did something rather unprecedented: it immediately cancelled summer auctions for new oil and gas tenures.

This sudden closure of oil and gas opportunities in response to the Blueberry decision — a B.C. Supreme Court ruling, which determined the province violated the Treaty Rights of Blueberry River First Nations by permitting and encouraging damaging industrial development — sent a shudder through the industry that continues to reverberate across the country today.

Documents  released to The Narwhal through freedom of information legislation show  petroleum and natural gas (PNG) lobbyists told public servants that  B.C. could lose more than $90 million in annual revenue and up to 10,000  jobs as a result of the Blueberry decision. These stark warnings were  then passed on to senior B.C. government officials, including Fazil  Mihlar, deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

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Politics

Trudeau Has Not Deceived Us

By Roy L Hales

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Though some are shocked by revelations that the Prime Minister has made the Energy East and Trans Mountain pipeline projects a priority, this is not inconsistent with the views he has expressed in the past.  Trudeau has not deceived us.

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Environment

Cities Transitioning To A Fossil Fuel Free Economy

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By Roy L Hales

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After 23 years of attempting to bring about change on the state and national levels, Daphne Wysham came to the conclusion that the last bastion of hope in the fight against the fossil fuel industry was at the local level. America’s mayors and city councils are much more accountable for health and safety of their constituents. She focused her attention on the Pacific Northwest, where there are currently 27 proposed coal, oil and gas by rail projects. This initially brought her into conflict with Portland Mayor Charles Hales, who subsequently became an apostle for cities transitioning to a fossil fuel free economy.

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Transportation

British Columbia’s Expanding EV Infrastructure

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By Roy L Hales

Cortes Island is three ferry trips north of Vancouver. There are three hours of driving time. As you also spend a significant amount of time waiting, the trip can take six hours in peak season.   Some people think of Cortes as a throwback to the 1970‘s; others regard it as one of BC’s sustainable hubs. The major industry is tourism. There are around a thousand inhabitants, three hamlets and a number of non-profit organizations. There is also an EV charging station. I am told it has only been used once. This says a great deal about the extent of BC’s expanding EV infrastructure.

Thanks to the Clean Energy Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Program (CEV), there are more charging stations in BC (475) than in any other Canadian Province.

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