Category Archives: Pipelines

Debunking more misinformation about the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project. Some simple facts about bitumen, heavy oil, and Asian Markets.

Posted on June 23, 2019 by Blair

As someone interested in evidence-based decision-making there are few topics as frustrating to discuss as the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) project. The reason for this is that the media landscape is so completely full of misinformation and bad information … Continue reading →

Posted in Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 24 Comments

Another look at the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project from the lens of a pragmatic environmentalist

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Blair

This week the Federal cabinet will decide whether to proceed with the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX). In response, opponents of the TMX have been out in force making ridiculous claims about the project. This has caused me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain | 7 Comments

How the CCPA completely misses the target on the root cause of our elevated gasoline prices in the Lower Mainland

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Blair

This morning while getting ready for work, I heard Marc Lee from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on the radio with Stephen Quinn talking about the price of gas in the BC Lower Mainland. I understand he also spoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain | 22 Comments

A primer on the BC refined fuel market, lower mainland gasoline prices and how they can be affected by a change in mix in the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Blair

In the last couple weeks I have read a lot about gas prices and the threat by Jason Kenney to shut down the Trans Mountain pipeline. Since a lot of what I have read is incomplete and/or incorrect, I figure … Continue reading →

Posted in Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 35 Comments

Questioning the PBO’s math on the value of the Trans Mountain Pipeline

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Blair

The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), Yves Giroux, produced a report this week on the estimated value of the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMP) and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMEP). This report has a lot of people up in arms … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Environmental Absolutists are going BANANAs and it will hurt, not help, the environment

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Blair

Anyone who follows the energy beat knows that the latest chant from the environmental absolutist world is “No new fossil fuel infrastructure” (NNFFI). The slogan has been attributed by most sources to Bill McKibben of 350.org. Around here you hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Fossil Fuel Free Future, Pipelines, Risk, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

On Wil Horter’s Gish Gallop about Alberta heavy oil and the Trans Mountain

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Blair

On December 26th, 2018 the National Observer published an article Discount Frenzy: The dirt on discount oil by Wil Horter, the former Executive Director of the Dogwood Initiative. In December 28th, I prepared a reply called Fact-checking the National Observer … Continue reading →

Posted in Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Fact-checking the National Observer “Discount Frenzy” oil piece

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Blair

On December 26th, 2018 the National Observer published an article Discount Frenzy: The dirt on discount oil by Wil Horter, the former Executive Director of the Dogwood Initiative. Given its subject matter, I read the piece and responded to Mr … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Let’s face it hypocrisy matters in the pipeline and climate change debates

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Blair

As someone deeply interested in the pipeline and climate change debates I encounter the topic of hypocrisy every day. The discussion usually starts with a pipeline supporter pointing out that pipeline opponents who rely on fossil fuels are hypocrites. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics, Pipelines, Renewable Energy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Once again a group of health professionals gets the science wrong on diluted bitumen and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Blair

By now, my opinion of physicians and health care professionals wandering into the field of environmental policy are well known. As I have written previously: While I trust MDs on matters relating to my health and wellness, I will stick … Continue reading →

Posted in Oil Sands, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 5 Comments