Newfoundland and Labrador Political Pot Pourri

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Tue, 2023-07-11 22:07

jerrym

A new report entitled Canada’s Energy Future 2023 by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) forsees Newfoundland's oil production dropping sharply by the early 2030s and 99% by 2050. This The CER assumed the Bay du Nord project would start production would start producing oil by 2030, but its owner, Equinor, at the end of May has already "delayed" its start for three years as oil prices drop and may never start up, making the CER scenario look even more optimistic than today's condtions warrant.

This illustrates the risk that the Trudeau and Furey Liberal governments are putting the province by focusing on greatly expanding offshore oil production through large subsidies. Since it takes years for new oil production to ramp up, the danger would be that the as production was starting to grow signficantly, prices would drop as the world shifted away from fossil fuels because of the catastrophic damage greenhouse gas emissions produce during the climate crisis.

The Hercules drill rig is anchored off of Bay Bulls, N.L. before heading offshore to drill an exploration well for ExxonMobil Canada and its partner, Qatar Energy. (Danny Arsenault/CBC)

Oil production in Newfoundland and Labrador is slated to drop sharply within the next decade, peaking at the latest by the early 2030s, according to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).

In fact, offshore oil drilling could have nearly disappeared by 2050, according to a reportreleased last month by the federal agency.

The CER's report charts how oil production in the province's offshore would evolve in three scenarios:

If the planet reaches net-zero by 2050.

If Canada reaches net-zero, but the rest of the world lags.

If current measures are maintained, but not reinforced.

The agency projects that if the planet reduces its emissions to net-zero, oil production in Newfoundland's offshore is set to fall off a cliff, dropping 99 per cent by 2050, according to the report.

But even in the event Canada announces no new measures and misses its net-zero target, production in Newfoundland would still drop 80 per cent.

In each of the scenarios studied, the CER assumes Equinor's Bay du Nord project will come into service by the end of the decade. However, in May, the Norwegian energy giant postponed the project three years due to mounting costs. ...

Bay du Nord is the only new project included in the CER's analysis, despite early-stage exploration work from oil companies, including ExxonMobil and BP.

In an interview with Radio-Canada, CER chief economist Jean-Denis Charlebois said production will peak in Newfoundland and Labrador "around 2025, maybe a little sooner" if Bay du Nord is cancelled.

Three of the four fields currently in production have been pumping oil since the 1990s or early 2000s and Charlebois said if Bay du Nord is cancelled, the existing fields would follow a "natural decline."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/oil-production-repo...

Sun, 2023-07-23 19:27

#103

jerrym

Ten days ago the news was "Heavy rain is expected to continue for much of western Newfoundland, ... with areas from Port aux Basques to Gros Morne under a rainfall warning. About 50 to 80 millimetres is in the forecast, with higher amounts possible in localized areas especially over higher elevation. Environment and Climate Change Canada is warning that more flooding is possible, as well as washouts and landslides. The west coast is expected to see showers throughout the week before sun and warmer temperatures on the weekend." (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/rainfall-warning-fl...)

Sun, 2023-07-23 19:29

#104

jerrym

The sunny weather mentioned in the last post turned out to be record-breaking temperatures, that "should 'sound alarm bells' for other climate impacts, says climatologist".

Record-breaking temperatures hit Newfoundland. (Bert Savard/CBC)

ot and humid weather felt across Newfoundland and Labrador this week is part of a growing trend that one climatologist says will incur serious consequences. Memorial University climatologist Joel Finnis told CBC News Thursday this week's hot weather, which broke humidex records in parts of the island, is part of a shift that has been noticed over the last couple of years. "It's much more common to get extended periods of high temperature like we're seeing now," Finnis said.

Based in St. John's, Finnis said there have only been four days in July, so far, that were below 20 C and quite a few days that were above 25 C. "Based on the long-term forecast, it looks like that's going to go on for the foreseeable future," he said. "You take a look at stretches of very warm conditions like that, you recognize it happened the year before as well, you start to realize that things are shifting toward much warmer summers. That has a lot of consequences."

Those effects include changes to pest and tree environments, the condition of ground cover and sea ice melt.

Melting sea ice is the biggest noticeable shift, Finnis said, adding that has been raising alarms for him for a long time. "That sea ice is disappearing in the Labrador sea relatively quickly and, frankly, across the entire Arctic sea ice loss is well ahead of schedule, relative to what climate models said we should be expecting," he said. "We're talking decades of where we thought it would be, and that leaves us recognizing that some parts of the environment and climate system, and earth system overall, are changing faster than we're anticipating, which really should ... sound alarm bells for us in terms of other changes, too." ...

Extreme weather events are becoming more common in Newfoundland and Labrador. Finnis points to Hurricane Fiona, which decimated communities along the southwest coast of Newfoundland in September, along with heavy rain on snow events witnessed on the west coast that caused severe and sudden flooding. "It's things like those high wind events, it's things like those heavy precipitation events, those rain or snow events as well, that I think are going to have a bigger impact on us overall than some of these heat waves," he said.

That's not to say the province shouldn't prepare for future heat. Finnis said high temperatures, like those experienced this week, should tell us we need to think about how we operate in our environment, cities and workplaces. "We can't live and work in the cities that we've built for a cold environment in the same way if we're starting to hit long stretches of hot weather," he said. "We need to adjust our activities. It really is a stark reminder for me that we need to adapt, accommodate and change how we interact with this environment."

He said changes have been happening, slowly, gradually and consistently, and embedded with other events happening at the same time. He points to Canada as a whole, where record-breaking temperatures are being experienced across the country, as well as the U.K., Europe and the United States. "It's hard to ignore anymore," he said. "It's not that the changes are necessarily new, it's that we're just really starting to pay attention because of some of these extreme events."

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/weather/topstories/record-setting-temperatures...

Sun, 2023-08-27 11:45

#105

jerrym

"Satisfaction with the overall performance of the Liberal government in Newfoundland and Labrador led by Premier Andrew Furey has remained stable compared with three months ago," the provincial Liberals have dropped from 53% support to 40% support since May while the PCs have increased from 31% to 37% and the NDP from 17% to 23% according to the latest Narrative Research poll. I suspect that the fall in popularity is related to the federal Liberals implementing a large increase in the carbon tax in Atlantic Canada that has even been criticized by a New Brunswick Liberal MP Wayne Long, who is not seeking re-election, as well as "A chorus of politicians across Atlantic Canada". Although Premier Furey criticized the tax "unfair", the Liberal name, whether federal or provincial, has lost some popularity as a result in Atlantic Canada. (https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/11/24/news/politics-remain-heated-...).

Voting intentions have shifted compared with May 2023, if a provincial election were held today, with the Liberal Party and the PC Party having similar levels of support. The Liberals now stand at 40% support from decided voters (down from 50% in May 2023, and the PCs at 37% (compared with 31%). One-quarter (23%, compared with 17%) support the New Democratic Party. Across the province, the Liberals lead on the Avalon, while the PCs lead in Western/Labrador.

Andrew Furey remains the preferred choice for premier. One in three prefer Furey for premier (32%, vs. 37% in May 2023), while one-quarter prefer the next leader of the PCs (24%, compared with 21% preferring interim leader Brazil last quarter). Preference for NDP leader Jim Dinn as premier stands at 18% (compared with 15%).

Satisfaction with the overall performance of the Liberal government in Newfoundland and Labrador led by Premier Andrew Furey has remained stable compared with three months ago, according to the latest survey by Narrative Research. A majority remain satisfied (57%, compared with 56% in May 2023). Satisfaction is elevated in Central/Eastern compared with the Avalon and Western/Labrador.

https://narrativeresearch.ca/nl-while-satisfaction-with-the-provincial-g...

Sun, 2023-09-17 01:06

#106

jerrym

Memorial University students rallied to protest an oil-producing province's climate policies, including Newfoundland's own Bay du Nord and related offshore projects being subsidized by Liberal Prime Minister Trudeau and Liberal Premier Furey.

Protesters for climate change started their walk at Memorial University's clock tower and headed to Confederation Building. (Arlette Lazarenko/CBC)© Provided by cbc.ca

Sophie Shoemaker didn't mince words when they held up a microphone to rally Memorial University students Friday ahead of a march to Confederation Building to protest an oil-producing province's climate policies. "No more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil," Shoemaker chanted with dozens of participants in a protest organized by Fridays for Future St. John's. "We deserve to be able to be young and carefree," Shoemaker told demonstrators. "And it is immoral that people in power have put the weight of climate change on our shoulders. I am protesting today to save my children from the burden that has been forced upon myself."

Shoemaker and other organizers focused on several issues, including a demand that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador stop subsidizing fossil fuel production and exploration. They also want a permanent end to the deepsea Bay Du Nord megaroject, which its proponents have temporarily put on hold. Demonstrators also want the government to invest heavily in renewable energy projects, led by communities in the province. Finally, demonstrators — many of whom were MUN students — are demanding that the university divest its holdings in fossil fuels. This would include pensions and other financial investments would not include companies that profit from fossil fuels. "There are already 12 universities in Canada that are already divesting or having plans to divest," said Shoemaker. "But right now, MUN has no plan in place to divest and that is just not acceptable for us."

The event attracted not only students, but also professors, young teenagers, political parties and others. They gathered at the foot of MUN's clock tower to march to Confederation Building, holding sighs and shouting pleas for climate action.

"We have watched throughout our lifetimes as the planet has literally changed in front of us," said Hannah Findling, a manager for Travel Bug and the Bee's Knees stores, which closed for a few hours to allow employees to join the march. We see how it's going to continue unless we can hold lawmakers accountable and put policies into place that will actually make a meaningful difference," she said. Findling said she doesn't believe lawmakers are even listening. "I wish that I had a different answer, but I don't think they are listening. It's much, much easier to stick to the status quo, take the money and talk about profits," Findling said.

Dan Smith, who joined the march, said he is happy to see so many people coming to support the cause. "The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has to stop subsidizing oil and gas. It's truly disgusting how much money we give to an industry that is destroying the planet," Smith said.

At Confederation Building, demonstrators listened to speeches, performances and poetry. "As you dig more oil, you dig us all a grave," said one protester, accompanied by soft music as she read her poetry. "Will you hear our words, before it's too late? What's within your grasp, is the course of our fate."

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/will-you-hear-our-words-climate-ch...

Thu, 2023-09-28 21:34

#107

jerrym

Good news. Newfoundland's oil boom may be over before it begins as "Project cancellations and delays are hampering plans to massively expand Canada's offshore oil industry."

A Newfoundland offshore oil rig. Photo by Zukiman Mohamad/Pexels

Project cancellations and delays are hampering plans to massively expand Canada's offshore oil industry. Temitope Onifade, a researcher working in law and climate policy, says it may be a signal that the offshore oil boom on the East Coast is ending before it’s even really got started.

In June, BP announced it was abandoning a high-profile exploratory oil well, which was poised to be a multibillion-barrel deposit. BP hasn’t clearly stated why, but energy publication Upstream writes that there are “signs the probe was unsuccessful.” The abandonment comes on the heels of the postponement of Bay du Nord — Canada’s first deepwater offshore oil project. In May, owner Equinor said it would be put on hold for three years and that increased costs within the oil market are partly to blame, although the company maintains it is planning to pivot strategies to make it work.

In response to Canada’s National Observer, BP confirmed it is in the “process of plugging and abandoning the well as per plan” and had no other comment. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said he was “disappointed” by the delay of Bay du Nord but is still holding out hope it will eventually be completed.

Newfoundland and Labrador has a unique goal to double offshore oil output by 2030. In 2022, the provincial regulator greenlit more than $238 million worth of exploration licences, jumping off from the approval of Bay du Nord earlier that year. The province already has some offshore oil, such as the Hibernia platform, which has been operating for over 25 years.

The approvals followed years of inactivity. Since 2004, the oil sector has paid an annual average of $1.3 billion to the province, but just $532 million came in between 2020 and 2021. In May, the province said oil production was down over 11 per cent compared to the previous year.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government’s 2030 target is “ambitious,” and Onifade said he “would be very surprised to see that they're able to do that.” As well as being a faculty member and the director of the masters of research in sustainable futures at the University of Bristol Law School, Onifade is a PhD candidate and researcher for the Canada Climate Law Initiative at the University of British Columbia’s Peter A. Allard School of Law.

There are a number of pressures that make a plan to increase oil production unstable, explained Onifade: cost pressures, competition, fewer available subsidies and the implementation of climate policy.

Competition is coming from both renewables and cheaper fossil fuels, Onifade said. He notes oil from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), comprised of 13 oil-producing states throughout the Middle East, Africa and South America, will arguably be more competitive in the years to come.

“Because there's going to be lots more products coming from the OPEC bloc, including places like Nigeria where Dangote [a company owned by the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote] has just finished building a massive refinery,” said Onifade, who used to live in Newfoundland.

“... But the second leg of the competition is that renewables are already cheaper than oil.”

Renewables are increasingly presenting a stronger business case than oil and gas, which risk becoming stranded assets as the world transitions to clean energy. Eventually, fossil fuels will lose their market, which means investors won't see a profit.

However, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador stands strong in its belief that oil and gas from its offshore can be part of the transition. In a statement, Lesley Clarke, media relations manager for the province’s Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, said Newfoundland and Labrador produces oil with fewer emissions per barrel than international averages and that the sector “can be a part of the solution to help meet global demand as the world transitions to a lower-carbon economy.”

“We continue to have a positive working relationship with BP and acknowledge the company’s office presence in our province. We remain cautiously optimistic that there will continue to be opportunities in the offshore,” said Clarke.

Demand for fossil fuels

Depending on how quickly the world cuts its greenhouse gas pollution, demand for fossil fuels could be a lot lower by 2040, explained Gregor Semieniuk, an assistant research professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He recently released a paper on how the wealthiest one to 10 per cent of people will suffer the most financially from stranded assets resulting from climate policy that curbs the use of fossil fuels.

Specifically in Canada, the Canada Energy Regulator released new modelling last week that found Canadian oil production will plunge by 2050 if the world reaches net-zero emissions by the same year.

If the world achieves a low-emissions scenario and hits the 2050 target, that means “huge uncertainty” for any planned projects, said Semieniuk. From a climate perspective, the IEA has also said there should be no new fossil fuel projects if the world is to reach net zero within the next 25 years.

With lower demand for fossil fuels, Semieniuk explains fossil fuel companies have to consider whether their project has the best business case to move forward if there will be a smaller market, which makes the next decade “really relevant for a project like Bay du Nord.”

Ultimately, Semieniuk hopes oil and gas companies will take note of the economic risk that comes with expanding Newfoundland’s offshore oil industry.

“I don't know the future any better than anybody else. These oil companies, of course, really know the industry and really think very hard about what they're doing,” he said.

“So, to me, this is good for BP and Equinor that they're cautious about this because there's really this large uncertainty. And this could be a signal to other players that maybe it's not such a great idea to expand.”

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/07/05/news/newfoundland-labrador-o...

Thu, 2023-09-28 21:53

#108

jerrym

Doubly good news for Newfoundland, as not only is it increasingly likely that Newfoundland's offshore oil projects not likely to occur, but the provincial Liberal government has finally started to see the light that fossil fuel production is a very risky way to grow an economy with the project cancellations and delays that have occurred recently, as described in the last post, to say nothing of its global environmental problems. The government has this month "invited four companies to seek permits to develop wind-hydrogen facilities on Crown land. The province’s vast potential for wind energy production had been left unexploited due to the moratorium in place since 2007. ... [However] a group of citizens, with support from the Miawpukek First Nation at Conne River, has called for a federal review the project.".

Newfoundland and Labrador has invited four companies to seek permits to develop wind-hydrogen facilities on Crown land, a move that marks another big milestone since the province lifted a 15-year wind development ban this spring—and supports its ambitions to export green fuel globally.

“This is a transformative industry for Atlantic Canada,” said Nova Scotia-based billionaire John Risley, pointing to wind as a long-term replacement for the fossil fuel industry.

Risley, a director of World Energy—one of the four companies on the invitation list—added that Newfoundland and offshore Nova Scotia have world-class wind resources, with “huge opportunity” in exploiting them.

The three other companies are EverWind Fuels, Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation, and Toqlukuti’k Wind and Hydrogen. Each of the firms will receive wind application recommendation letters that are not a green light to begin construction, reports CBC, but will allow them to proceed through the province’s Crown land application process.

The four companies were selected from a list “whittled down” to nine prospective developers.

Provincial Energy Minister Andrew Parsons called the decision a “significant milestone” in moving the hydrogen/ammonia sector along.

The province’s vast potential for wind energy production had been left unexploited due to the moratorium in place since 2007. The measure was initially meant to protect development of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, but was lifted in April after the province reviewed its renewable energy policy.

Now, wind energy from the new projects will be used to produce green hydrogen or ammonia, which is expected to beexported to Europe through the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance. Proponents say the projects will boost the economy and add new jobs. Estimates show project lifespans of 35 to 40 years from construction through decommissioning, and Parsons said the work will generate roughly C$206.2 billion in GDP and $11.7 billion in revenue for the province, with peak full-time employment of 11,694 jobs.

But some of the proposals have already garnered public criticism. World Energy’s Project Nujio’Qonik at Port-au-Port has been contested by locals who renewed their activism after the recent provincial announcement. They say there’s been insufficient research on the project’s size and scale and its potential impacts on communities and the environment.

“What we feared last year is coming true,” said Marilyn Rowe of Sheaves Cove. “These turbines are going to be over 600 feet in height.”

Rowe said the project will use Siemens offshore turbines that have never before been installed on mountaintops, so “there is no knowledge or history or data available to tell us what the effects are going to be.”

World Energy has submitted an environment impact assessment for its plans, which await provincial approval. Meanwhile, a group of citizens, with support from the Miawpukek First Nation at Conne River, has called for a federal review the project.

https://www.theenergymix.com/2023/09/05/newfoundland-and-labrador-offers...

Thu, 2023-12-07 15:38

#109

jerrym

Premier Furey's popularity at 48% remains statistically tied with his popularity three months ago in the Angus Reid Premier's Popularity poll.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Premier Andrew Furey is approved of by 48 per cent of constituents this quarter. Furey reached all the way out west in November to sign a co-operation on clean energy with B.C. leader David Eby, in the hopes of accelerating alternative energy projects on both of Canada’s coasts. Last week, Furey announced a task force on homelessness, in the wake of criticism that the province is failing to adequately address the problem. Downtown St. John’s has become home to a tent city of unhoused individuals.

Thu, 2023-12-07 15:43

#110

jerrym

A December 5th Narrative Research poll shows the Liberals with 6% lead over the PCs in Newfoundland but a drop in satisfaction with the Furey Liberal government from 57% to 53% in the last three months.

Satisfaction with the overall performance of the Liberal government in Newfoundland and Labrador led by Premier Andrew Furey has remained stable compared with three months ago, according to the latest survey by Narrative Research. A majority remain satisfied (53%, compared with 57% in August 2023). Satisfaction is elevated on the Avalon compared with elsewhere.

If a provincial election were held today, more than four in ten (44%, compared with 40% in August 2023) decided voters would vote for the Liberals, while just under four in ten would vote for the PCs (38%, compared with 37%). Support for the NDP has declined (16%, down from 23%). Across the province, the Liberals lead on the Avalon, while the PCs lead elsewhere.

Andrew Furey remains the preferred choice for premier. One in three prefer Furey for premier (35%, compared with 32% in August 2023), while one-quarter prefer Tony Wakeham of the PC Party (26%, compared with 24% for next leader last quarter). Preference for NDP leader Jim Dinn as premier stands at 18% (unchanged).

https://narrativeresearch.ca/nl-the-liberals-have-a-slight-lead-over-the...

Mon, 2024-01-29 23:04

#111

jerrym

With no companies willing to pay to search for fossil fuels off Newfoundland and Labrador’s coast this year the once rabid interest in Newfounland's offshore oil has largely disappeared. By comparison, in 2022 there was almost $240 million bid for the rights to explore for offshore Newfoundland oil.

No companies wanted to pay to search for fossil fuels off Newfoundland and Labrador’s coast this year.

Each year, companies are invited to offer money to explore areas in the Atlantic Ocean for oil and gas deposits. But last week, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board announced there were no new bids to explore the region in 2023. The lack of interest contrasts sharply with 2022 when over $238 million worth of exploration licences were awarded by the provincial-federal regulator.

“This is really telling because it comes on the heels of Equinor withdrawing or being reluctant to develop the Bay du Nord field,” Angela Carter, energy transitions specialist at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), told Canada’s National Observer. Carter is also an associate professor of political science at Memorial University of Newfoundland teaching courses on topics like climate policy, the energy transition and politics. In May, Equinor announced Bay du Nord — Canada’s first deepwater offshore oil project — will be on hold for up to three years because of “challenging market conditions.” Then in June, BP announced it was abandoning a high-profile exploratory oil well, which was poised to be a multibillion-barrel deposit.

Equinor changing course is a “red flag” for other firms, said Carter.

Awarded Offshore Oil Bids in Newfoundland and Labrador (2019-2023)
Infogram

Awarded offshore oil bids in Newfoundland and Labrador (2019-2023). Chart by Cloe Logan

Other factors include global oil demand changing and the challenges inherent to Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil — high cost, harsh environment, a lot of dry exploration holes that have been drilled, and difficulties getting drilling rigs into position, to name a few, she said.

“There's a realization playing out that this is not a desirable location to drill exploration wells,” said Carter. The timeline from bidding on a parcel, doing the exploratory drilling to developing oil resources means production is 10 to 15 years out, she said. In 10 or 15 years, firms will have to contend with a changing energy demand, prices and landscape, so some firms, like Exxon, are instead focusing investments on oil where it already exists, she added.

The International Energy Agency’s most recent forecast shows oil, coal and gas demand peaking before the end of the decade. This scenario, based on world governments’ existing policies, still overshoots the global goal to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 C to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Since 2015, firms have been showing less interest in these parcels that the government is putting up for bids, said Carter. Pre-2015, a majority of the bids offered were snapped up by companies. The one exception, she noted, was in 2018 when the regulator awarded a record bid amount of more than $1.3 billion and a record single bid of around $621 million. One parcel from that year, valued at $32 million, turned into the Bay du Nord project.

From 1988 to 2014, the board offered up 183 parcels for exploration and licences were awarded for 128 of those. In contrast, from 2015 to the present of the 163 parcels offered, only 30 licences were awarded.

“The long-term trend is [that] firms are now less willing to step forward and bid on offshore parcels,” said Carter. “Why is that? Well, because the economics have changed and it's not looking like it's going to get any better. In fact, it's gonna get worse as we get closer and closer to that peak global oil demand.”

Forty-seven parcels were offered up this year with no bids, the province’s offshore petroleum board announced last week.

“This is not the outcome we wanted from this call for bids, and of course, we are disappointed with the results,” a spokesperson from the province’s Department of Industry, Energy and Technology told Canada’s National Observer in an emailed statement. The statement said the department will be reaching out to companies to better understand what factored into their decisions not to bid, but said they “remain optimistic about the future of the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry and the role of its secure, lower-carbon oil in meeting global demand.”

It also pointed to ongoing offshore activity, including $2.1 billion in exploration commitments and 17 current exploration licences. There are also three currently producing projects offshore — Hibernia, Hebron and White Rose — and a fourth project, Terra Nova, which “is expected to be back in production in the coming weeks.”

The provincial government is pushing for expansion of offshore oil and gas: specifically, it has a plan to double offshore oil and gas production by the end of the decade.

“The writing is on the wall,” said Carter. “We're at the tail end of the oil economy here, so there's an urgent need for the provincial government to work with labour and work with communities to create a plan for an equitable transition.

“We're not ready for the trends that are clearly playing out now in front of us,” she added.

The bump in bids last year is also likely related to the “unprecedented profits” fossil fuel companies were raking in, giving corporations more room to manoeuvre, compared to when oil prices tanked at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Carter.

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/11/08/news/interest-offshore-oil-e....

Mon, 2024-01-29 23:23

#112

jerrym

This year, fossil fuel companies bids for the rights to bid for fossil fuel exploration on the Newfoundland offshore dropped from almost $240 million in 2022 to $0 in 2023 (see last post for details). This reflects growing disinterest by the fossil fuel industry in the province's offshore fossil fuel potential and the growing global shift to renewables. However, Newfoundland PC MLA Lloyd Parrott is criticzing the Newfoundland Liberal government for spending $15,000 to attend the 2023 COP 28 climate change conference, saying the government is not doing enough for the fossil fuel industry. As the world shifts towards renewables, it sounds like the Conservatives, at both the federal and provincial levels are determined to fossilize themselves. Nevertheless, like the Conservatives, "Premier Andrew Furey has also promoted. In 2021, he attended COP26 in Glasgow, where he touted N.L.'s "clean" fossil fuels, a claim that is disputed by some." So overall there doesn't seem to be much difference between the Liberals and Conservatives.

Climate activists protest against fossil fuels during the final stages of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 12. (Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters)

A Progressive Conservative politician is accusing the Newfoundland and Labrador government of failing to support the province's oil and gas industry by spending thousands of dollars to attend an international climate conference.

Lloyd Parrott, PC energy critic and MHA for Terra Nova, says the government's attendance at last year's UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, sends the wrong message to the industry. "My concern is, and always has been, the future of our oil and gas," he said. "To see a minister of the Crown go over to COP and, you know, a $15,000 bill basically to celebrate what almost appears to be the beginning of the end of our oil and gas industry, it's a bit disturbing."

The provincial government sent three representatives, including Environment and Climate Change Minister Bernard Davis, to the climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December. COP28 brought delegates together from around the world to discuss climate change and how to mitigate the rise in global temperatures. The PCs filed an access-to-information request, which was shared with CBC News, that found the government spent $15,000 on the trip. The 70-page document shows airline tickets, meals, accommodations and other expenses.

During COP28, representatives reached an agreement to move away from fossil fuels in the energy sector but didn't recommend phasing them out over the next decade to combat climate change. That's not how Parrott sees it. He sent out a statement Friday afternoon that said the agreement signals "the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era." That messaging didn't come from the province, but it's still a problem for Parrott, who has worked in the oil and gas industry in the past, including sitting on the board of directors of the Hebron project throughout its construction. "At the end of the day, you know, when the minister goes over and we're not standing up for our oil and gas resources, when we've got other countries in the world who have firmly said that they will continue to produce, and we're literally pushing away," he said. He pointed to the offshore seismic oil exploration program being suspended and a recent offshore land sale for oil that failed to attract any bidders.

CBC News asked the premier's office for comment but spokesperson Meghan McCabe said no one was available to speak Friday afternoon due to Minister Derrick Bragg's funeral. Over email, provincial Environment and Climate change spokesperson Marium Oishee said the department hadn't seen the PC statement, adding, "COP28 provided a platform for exploring both the challenges of achieving global climate change targets and identifying the opportunities presented by the green transition." The conference also allowed the government to share its efforts to address climate change, contribute to the global policy dialogue and learn about the best practices of other jurisdictions.

Parrott also accused the Liberal government of failing to fight for the people of the province, as they should be the primary beneficiaries of the industry. "My job is to represent the men and women who put me here, and it is my firm belief that as long as there's oil coming out from underneath the ocean or from the ground anywhere, we should be doing it," he said. "The Liberal government has celebrated the beginning of the end of the oil industry. And the reality of it is, is they're turning their backs on the people who put them there to represent them."

While Parrott said he supports a transition to green energy, he believes that the province's oil and gas could aid in that transition.

"Our silver bullet is through oil and gas. We need money in order to do that. We have some of the cleanest oil in the world and I know that sounds like doublespeak from me, but the reality of it is, our oil is coming in, it's creating far less of a carbon footprint than any of the oil that we're bring in," he said.

It's a message Premier Andrew Furey has also promoted. In 2021, he attended COP26 in Glasgow, where he touted N.L.'s "clean" fossil fuels, a claim that is disputed by some.

However, Parrott said both the federal and provincial governments are "scaring industry away." When asked if a PC-led provincial government would send delegates to attend future UN climate change summits, he said they'd have to look at the agenda before signing on.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cop28-parrott-oil-g...

Thu, 2024-02-22 17:22

#113

jerrym

While the Trudeau and Furey Liberals have poured hundreds of millions into subsidizing an offshore oil industry, they have ignored wind as a source of energy despite "In the realm of renewable energy, Newfoundland stands out as a beacon of opportunity, particularly in the burgeoning field of wind hydrogen."

A

An example of an offshore wind turbine, of the kind Newfoundland is lacking because of Trudeau and Furey Liberal govrenment focus on offshore oil

Newfoundland Emerges as a Premium Destination for Wind Hydrogen

In the realm of renewable energy, Newfoundland stands out as a beacon of opportunity, particularly in the burgeoning field of wind hydrogen. Nestled amidst the majestic landscapes of Canada’s eastern coast, this province boasts a unique blend of natural resources and strategic advantages that position it as a premium destination for the development of wind hydrogen projects. From its abundant wind resources to its forward-thinking energy policies, Newfoundland offers a compelling case for investors and stakeholders seeking to capitalize on the potential of clean hydrogen production.

Abundant Wind Resources

One of Newfoundland’s most prominent assets is its vast and untapped wind energy potential. The province’s rugged coastline and expansive offshore areas are blessed with strong and consistent winds, particularly in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Grand Banks region. These favorable wind conditions present an ideal environment for the deployment of offshore wind farms, which can harness the power of the Atlantic Ocean to generate clean and renewable electricity.

Integration of Offshore Wind and Hydrogen Production

The synergy between offshore wind energy and hydrogen production holds immense promise for Newfoundland’s energy future. Offshore wind farms can serve as the primary source of renewable electricity, which can then be utilized to power electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen through electrolysis. This green hydrogen, derived from renewable sources, offers a carbon-neutral alternative to traditional fossil fuels and holds the key to decarbonizing various sectors, including transportation, industry, and heating.

Strategic Geographic Location

Situated at the crossroads of North America and Europe, Newfoundland’s strategic geographic location offers significant advantages for the export and distribution of wind hydrogen. With its proximity to major energy markets in the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada, as well as its access to established shipping routes and infrastructure, the province is well-positioned to become a hub for the production and export of green hydrogen to international markets.

Government Support and Policy Framework

Newfoundland’s commitment to renewable energy development is reinforced by robust government support and a favorable policy framework. Provincial initiatives such as the Green Energy Plan and the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydrogen Strategy demonstrate a clear commitment to fostering the growth of the renewable energy sector, including wind hydrogen projects. Moreover, federal incentives and funding opportunities further incentivize investments in clean energy initiatives, creating a conducive environment for industry players and stakeholders.

Economic Opportunities and Job Creation

Beyond its environmental benefits, the development of wind hydrogen projects in Newfoundland holds immense economic potential. The establishment of offshore wind farms and hydrogen production facilities will stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and attract investment in the region’s burgeoning green economy. From engineering and construction to operations and maintenance, the entire value chain of wind hydrogen projects will generate employment and drive economic prosperity for local communities.

Newfoundland emerges as a premium destination for wind hydrogen, leveraging its abundant wind resources, strategic geographic location, government support, and economic opportunities. By harnessing the power of offshore wind energy and green hydrogen production, the province can lead the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future while unlocking significant economic and environmental benefits. As the world increasingly embraces clean energy solutions, Newfoundland stands ready to seize the opportunities presented by wind hydrogen and emerge as a global leader in the renewable energy sector.

https://theogm.com/2024/02/22/tina-olivero-newfoundland-emerges-as-a-pre...

Wed, 2024-02-28 15:41

#114

jerrym

Liberal Premier Andrew Furey has maintained both public satisfaction and party support with 43% willing to vote Liberal today. The PCs have dropped 5% to 33% while the NDP has jumped 7% to 23% since the November poll.

A majority are satisfied with the overall performance of the provincial government led by Premier Andrew Furey, according to the latest survey by Narrative Research. Just over one-half of residents (52%, compared with 53% in November 2023) are satisfied, while just over four in ten (43%, compared with 39%) are dissatisfied.

The Liberals continue to lead in terms of voter support. If a provincial election were held today, more than four in ten (43%, compared with 44% in November 2023) decided voters would vote for the Liberals, while one-third would vote for the PCs (33%, compared with 38%). Support for the NDP has increased and stands at 23% (up from 16%).

Andrew Furey remains the preferred choice for Premier. One-third prefer Furey for premier (34%, compared with 35% in November 2023), while one-quarter prefer Tony Wakeham of the PC Party (23%, compared with 26%). Preference for NDP leader Jim Dinn as Premier stands at 19% (compared with 18%).

https://narrativeresearch.ca/nl-the-liberals-lead-in-terms-of-voter-supp...

Wed, 2024-03-13 23:22

#115

jerrym

Liberal Premier Andrew Furey's approval rating has remained relatively stable during the last year, at between 47% and 49%, although it was at 62% in March 2023.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey has had a stable approval rating of between 47 and 49 per cent over the past year. Furey has faced criticism from the opposition and the N.L. nurses’ union after his government reportedly spent more than $35 million on travel nurses in 2023, which he claims was needed to keep the provincial health system operating. Health care continues to be among the top two concerns for residents in the province:

https://angusreid.org/premier-approval-march-2024/

Tue, 2024-04-02 16:17

#116

jerrym

In yet another sign that Newfoundland offshore oil is not a wise investment, "BP could lose about C$200 million (US$148 million) in security deposits posted on two frontier exploration licenes offshore Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada after handing them back to the provincial government."

https://www.upstreamonline.com/exploration/bp-may-forfeit-148-million-af....

Newfoundland and Labrador Political Pot Pourri

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