Congratulations to Canada and British Columbia for a successful hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Is it time for an Alaska Ambassadors organization?
Many have been racking their minds for ideas on how to get our state off of it's mono-industry mindset. Here's a novel thought.
How about an organization (such as the one described in the previously posted story) for Alaska? We could emulate what appears to be a success in Montana. They have a Montana Ambassadors program. The program works with the Montana governor's office and Montana Department of Commerce.
Rather than my describing it, here is a description lifted from www.montanaambassadors.com:
"The Montana Ambassadors is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization of leaders in business, education, and the professions with a common dedication to living and doing business in Montana and furthering the best interests of the state, serving at the pleasure of the Governor.
Represent the office of the Governor and the Department of Commerce in business related contacts in and out of the state.
Assist the Department of Commerce and the Governor's Office of Economic Development with their business, trade, and tourism development programs.
Sponsor projects that encourage and support economic improvements throughout the state.
Support, whenever practical, efforts by other groups to contribute to the economic vitality of Montana.
Support whenever practical, efforts by other groups to maintain or increase the quality of all levels of education in the State of Montana. And, as official Ambassadors of the State of Montana, put the best interests of the state before personal interests and give freely of time, energy and personal finances in support of this mission."
This type of organization appears to have some great merit. Have a look at the website and read the story below for details on what this organization does.
How about an organization (such as the one described in the previously posted story) for Alaska? We could emulate what appears to be a success in Montana. They have a Montana Ambassadors program. The program works with the Montana governor's office and Montana Department of Commerce.
Rather than my describing it, here is a description lifted from www.montanaambassadors.com:
"The Montana Ambassadors is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization of leaders in business, education, and the professions with a common dedication to living and doing business in Montana and furthering the best interests of the state, serving at the pleasure of the Governor.
Represent the office of the Governor and the Department of Commerce in business related contacts in and out of the state.
Assist the Department of Commerce and the Governor's Office of Economic Development with their business, trade, and tourism development programs.
Sponsor projects that encourage and support economic improvements throughout the state.
Support, whenever practical, efforts by other groups to contribute to the economic vitality of Montana.
Support whenever practical, efforts by other groups to maintain or increase the quality of all levels of education in the State of Montana. And, as official Ambassadors of the State of Montana, put the best interests of the state before personal interests and give freely of time, energy and personal finances in support of this mission."
This type of organization appears to have some great merit. Have a look at the website and read the story below for details on what this organization does.
Montana Ambassadors look to state's future | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune
Montana Ambassadors look to state's future | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune
First Interstate Bank President and CEO Lyle Knight offered a prediction to the 120 people gathered at the Holiday Inn on Friday for the Montana Ambassadors annual meeting.
"Four to five years from now we'll all be sitting around asking ourselves why we didn't buy property in 2010," Knight said.
Up and down cycles are a normal part of the economy, he added.
"The cycles are always there," he said. "The wisdom is in knowing how to behave in a down cycle. This is when fortunes are made, and there are deals out there," Knight said.
The Montana Ambassadors are a volunteer, not-for-profit organization of leaders in business, education and the professions with a common goal — to promote Montana's assets and assist in business and trade development.
Click links above for full story
First Interstate Bank President and CEO Lyle Knight offered a prediction to the 120 people gathered at the Holiday Inn on Friday for the Montana Ambassadors annual meeting.
"Four to five years from now we'll all be sitting around asking ourselves why we didn't buy property in 2010," Knight said.
Up and down cycles are a normal part of the economy, he added.
"The cycles are always there," he said. "The wisdom is in knowing how to behave in a down cycle. This is when fortunes are made, and there are deals out there," Knight said.
The Montana Ambassadors are a volunteer, not-for-profit organization of leaders in business, education and the professions with a common goal — to promote Montana's assets and assist in business and trade development.
Click links above for full story
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Natural gas in line for structural shift
Natural gas in line for structural shift
This week's drop in natural gas prices below the $5 US per thousand cubic foot mark has spurred a lot of chatter of whether this price level is the new normal for North America.
The answer, according to EnCana chief executive Randy Eresman, is that prices are likely to sit in the $6 range and that expecting any big price jumps is unrealistic.
Eresman was participating in a panel discussion at the annual natural gas conference hosted by the Canadian Energy Research Institute on Tuesday.
Click above link to read the full story in the Calgary Herald.
This week's drop in natural gas prices below the $5 US per thousand cubic foot mark has spurred a lot of chatter of whether this price level is the new normal for North America.
The answer, according to EnCana chief executive Randy Eresman, is that prices are likely to sit in the $6 range and that expecting any big price jumps is unrealistic.
Eresman was participating in a panel discussion at the annual natural gas conference hosted by the Canadian Energy Research Institute on Tuesday.
Click above link to read the full story in the Calgary Herald.
Small wind farm pays big - Alaska Dispatch
Small wind farm pays big
On Tuesday, the village of Unalakleet, seated on Alaska's northwest coast, celebrated the town's newest energy force -- turbine number six. The awakening of the high-tech wind catcher completes the installation of the town's new wind farm, which has already saved the village tens of thousands of dollars since the first turbines powered up a few months ago.
Since November, Unalakleet has cut utility costs by nearly $55,000 and generated enough electricity to power 86 homes for an entire year, according the wind farm's new Web site. The site also claims the wind energy has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise have been pumped into the atmosphere through more traditional, diesel-only power generation -- the equivalent of more than 580,000 miles of driving in the family car. According to our calculations, that's about 111 one-way trips between Anchorage and Key West, Florida.
Click link above to view Jill Burke's full Alaska Dispatch story
On Tuesday, the village of Unalakleet, seated on Alaska's northwest coast, celebrated the town's newest energy force -- turbine number six. The awakening of the high-tech wind catcher completes the installation of the town's new wind farm, which has already saved the village tens of thousands of dollars since the first turbines powered up a few months ago.
Since November, Unalakleet has cut utility costs by nearly $55,000 and generated enough electricity to power 86 homes for an entire year, according the wind farm's new Web site. The site also claims the wind energy has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise have been pumped into the atmosphere through more traditional, diesel-only power generation -- the equivalent of more than 580,000 miles of driving in the family car. According to our calculations, that's about 111 one-way trips between Anchorage and Key West, Florida.
Click link above to view Jill Burke's full Alaska Dispatch story
Monday, February 22, 2010
T. Boone Pickens plans for 8 million trucks to run on natural gas - SmartPlanet
T. Boone Pickens plans for 8 million trucks to run on natural gas - SmartPlanet
Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens unveiled the Pickens Plan in 2008 to decrease our reliance on foreign oil. He recently tweaked the plan, shifting his focus from wind energy to natural gas and from cars to 18-wheelers and buses. Pickens is a big advocate of H.R. 1835, legislation introduced last April, which would offer significant tax credits for buyers of natural gas cars and their manufacturers and which would set regulations for vehicles purchased by the federal government.
Click on above links to read the full story.
Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens unveiled the Pickens Plan in 2008 to decrease our reliance on foreign oil. He recently tweaked the plan, shifting his focus from wind energy to natural gas and from cars to 18-wheelers and buses. Pickens is a big advocate of H.R. 1835, legislation introduced last April, which would offer significant tax credits for buyers of natural gas cars and their manufacturers and which would set regulations for vehicles purchased by the federal government.
Click on above links to read the full story.
BC Hydro subsidiary battles U.S. poacher
BC Hydro subsidiary battles U.S. poacher
Efforts by a Wall Street financial giant to poach employees and business from a lucrative government-owned energy trading operation in Vancouver are proving expensive for British Columbia taxpayers.
BC Hydro subsidiary corporation Powerex has lost 10 energy trading team members in a continuing employee raid by New York-based financial services firm Morgan Stanley, according to an internal memo obtained by The Vancouver Sun...
Click link above for entire story from the Vancouver Sun
Efforts by a Wall Street financial giant to poach employees and business from a lucrative government-owned energy trading operation in Vancouver are proving expensive for British Columbia taxpayers.
BC Hydro subsidiary corporation Powerex has lost 10 energy trading team members in a continuing employee raid by New York-based financial services firm Morgan Stanley, according to an internal memo obtained by The Vancouver Sun...
Click link above for entire story from the Vancouver Sun
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Google gets US approval to buy and sell energy | Green IT - InfoWorld
Google gets US approval to buy and sell energy | Green IT - InfoWorld
Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.
Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.
Bills aim to foster geothermal power - Alaska Dispatch
Bills aim to foster geothermal power
In terms of punctuation marks, Railbelt natural gas supplies are a bit of question mark, and fuel prices in the Bush are a big exclamation point. So, it's safe to assume Alaska's electricity producers and consumers would appreciate a little stability. At least one company wants to transform Alaska's geothermal resource into a reliable source of electricity, and is hoping for a way around an oddball state law that taxes hot water pulled from state land.
Click links above to read the full story
In terms of punctuation marks, Railbelt natural gas supplies are a bit of question mark, and fuel prices in the Bush are a big exclamation point. So, it's safe to assume Alaska's electricity producers and consumers would appreciate a little stability. At least one company wants to transform Alaska's geothermal resource into a reliable source of electricity, and is hoping for a way around an oddball state law that taxes hot water pulled from state land.
Click links above to read the full story
The Post and Courier - Now is the time for Alaskan offshore oil drilling to begin - Charleston SC - postandcourier.com
The Post and Courier - Now is the time for Alaskan offshore oil drilling to begin - Charleston SC - postandcourier.com
After listening to President Obama advocating for offshore drilling for gas and oil, a Wall Street Journal headline came to mind: “Alaska Can Meet U.S. Energy Needs.”
An article followed by Gov. Gene Parnell of Alaska: “Such (offshore) exploration could set the country on a clear and sustainable energy path for decades to come.
His remarks are similar to those expressed in a speech by the previous governor of Alaska 18 months ago...
Click above links for full story
After listening to President Obama advocating for offshore drilling for gas and oil, a Wall Street Journal headline came to mind: “Alaska Can Meet U.S. Energy Needs.”
An article followed by Gov. Gene Parnell of Alaska: “Such (offshore) exploration could set the country on a clear and sustainable energy path for decades to come.
His remarks are similar to those expressed in a speech by the previous governor of Alaska 18 months ago...
Click above links for full story
GE Energy Finance Unit May Expand B.C. Wind Farm (Update1) - BusinessWeek
GE Energy Finance Unit May Expand B.C. Wind Farm (Update1) - BusinessWeek
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.’s energy finance unit said it may double the capacity of a wind farm in British Columbia, increasing its bet on renewable-power in Canada’s westernmost province.
GE and Vancouver-based Plutonic Power Corp. last year bought the unfinished, 144-megawatt Dokie Ridge Wind Project, the first equity investment in wind energy in Canada for both companies.
“British Columbia has tremendous natural resources that are ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects,” Alex Urquhart, who runs the energy financial services unit, a division of Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric’s GE Capital division, said in a statement today.
Click link above for full story
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.’s energy finance unit said it may double the capacity of a wind farm in British Columbia, increasing its bet on renewable-power in Canada’s westernmost province.
GE and Vancouver-based Plutonic Power Corp. last year bought the unfinished, 144-megawatt Dokie Ridge Wind Project, the first equity investment in wind energy in Canada for both companies.
“British Columbia has tremendous natural resources that are ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects,” Alex Urquhart, who runs the energy financial services unit, a division of Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric’s GE Capital division, said in a statement today.
Click link above for full story
Friday, February 19, 2010
Arctic gas by 2017 - Petroleum News
Arctic%20gas%20by%202017%20-%20February%2021,%202010 - Petroleum News
Canada’s Mackenzie Gas Project could be onstream as early as 2017 and Alaska’s North Slope project could be delivering gas to Lower 48 markets three or four years later, predicts consultant Ziff Energy Group.
And, regardless of the enormous capital costs to develop Arctic gas and compete with abundant shale gas supplies, the two projects are tied to expectations for gas prices in the 20 years after they are completed, not what happens over the next decade, the Calgary-based firm said.
Canada’s Mackenzie Gas Project could be onstream as early as 2017 and Alaska’s North Slope project could be delivering gas to Lower 48 markets three or four years later, predicts consultant Ziff Energy Group.
And, regardless of the enormous capital costs to develop Arctic gas and compete with abundant shale gas supplies, the two projects are tied to expectations for gas prices in the 20 years after they are completed, not what happens over the next decade, the Calgary-based firm said.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Lawmakers think Senate's energy bill would force risk-taking - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source |
Lawmakers think Senate's energy bill would force risk-taking - KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source |
Some lawmakers are questioning whether or not the state can afford certain alternative energy projects and brought up those questions in Monday's Senate Resources Committee meeting.
They're concerned the Senate's wide-ranging energy bill would force the state to take some risks.
Language in the omnibus energy bill would require state agencies to consider using alternative energy projects.
The specific goals are to improve energy efficiency by 15 percent per capita by 2020, generate half of the state's electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and to "work to ensure a reliable, in-state gas supply" for state residents.
Some lawmakers are questioning whether or not the state can afford certain alternative energy projects and brought up those questions in Monday's Senate Resources Committee meeting.
They're concerned the Senate's wide-ranging energy bill would force the state to take some risks.
Language in the omnibus energy bill would require state agencies to consider using alternative energy projects.
The specific goals are to improve energy efficiency by 15 percent per capita by 2020, generate half of the state's electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and to "work to ensure a reliable, in-state gas supply" for state residents.
Northeast (BC) transmission line would create 'energy corridor' that could boost our clean power exports, Liberals say - Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun
Northeast transmission line would create 'energy corridor' that could boost our clean power exports, Liberals say
Following the push to build a new transmission line into northwestern B.C., the provincial Liberals want to extend the power grid to the northeast as well, as part of what they are calling a "northern energy corridor."
"New transmission infrastructure will link northeastern B.C. to our integrated grid," declared the speech...
Click link to read full column
Following the push to build a new transmission line into northwestern B.C., the provincial Liberals want to extend the power grid to the northeast as well, as part of what they are calling a "northern energy corridor."
"New transmission infrastructure will link northeastern B.C. to our integrated grid," declared the speech...
Click link to read full column
Monday, February 15, 2010
ABC7.com Green Content - Alaska: It’s not all about oil; Kodiak wind coop wins DOE award
ABC7.com Green Content - Alaska: It’s not all about oil; Kodiak wind coop wins DOE award
This month the Kodiak Electric Association proved that there’s more to the Alaskan energy landscape than oil wells and pipelines.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association named the co-op the 2009 Wind Cooperative of the Year.
Click above link for full story.
This month the Kodiak Electric Association proved that there’s more to the Alaskan energy landscape than oil wells and pipelines.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association named the co-op the 2009 Wind Cooperative of the Year.
Click above link for full story.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Whitehorsestar.com - Leaders discuss salmon, caribou, pipeline
Whitehorsestar.com - Leaders discuss salmon, caribou, pipeline
Below are excerpts, for full story click link above.
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell made his first visit to the Yukon last week since succeeding former governor Sarah Palin...
Premier Dennis Fentie held a brief news conference at cabinet headquarters in Whitehorse Friday afternoon to mark the meeting with Parnell, and the pair took questions from Alaskan and local media.
Dwindling salmon numbers in the Yukon River, Porcupine caribou conservation, the status of the proposed Alaskan gas pipeline and tourism rounded out the discussions, according to the two leaders.
Questioned on conservation measures for king salmon, Parnell referenced the Alaska Board of Fisheries’ move to prohibit subsistence and commercial fishermen from using gillnets with mesh larger than 7.5 inches...
The Alaska government said it will attempt a Porcupine caribou census this year and agreed to share that information with the Yukon government...
The premier also told the Star that while economics will ultimately determine whether the proposed Alaska Highway gas pipeline goes through the Yukon, or to Valdez, Alaska, the Yukon government’s preference is for the project to traverse this territory...
The premier said the Alaska pipeline issue loomed large in talks with Parnell over potential joint projects on energy, including converting diesel communities in the territory to natural gas. Hydro and wind projects are other options, Fentie added.
Below are excerpts, for full story click link above.
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell made his first visit to the Yukon last week since succeeding former governor Sarah Palin...
Premier Dennis Fentie held a brief news conference at cabinet headquarters in Whitehorse Friday afternoon to mark the meeting with Parnell, and the pair took questions from Alaskan and local media.
Dwindling salmon numbers in the Yukon River, Porcupine caribou conservation, the status of the proposed Alaskan gas pipeline and tourism rounded out the discussions, according to the two leaders.
Questioned on conservation measures for king salmon, Parnell referenced the Alaska Board of Fisheries’ move to prohibit subsistence and commercial fishermen from using gillnets with mesh larger than 7.5 inches...
The Alaska government said it will attempt a Porcupine caribou census this year and agreed to share that information with the Yukon government...
The premier also told the Star that while economics will ultimately determine whether the proposed Alaska Highway gas pipeline goes through the Yukon, or to Valdez, Alaska, the Yukon government’s preference is for the project to traverse this territory...
The premier said the Alaska pipeline issue loomed large in talks with Parnell over potential joint projects on energy, including converting diesel communities in the territory to natural gas. Hydro and wind projects are other options, Fentie added.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Terrace Standard - Power line twinning cost probed
Terrace Standard - Power line twinning cost probed
THE PROVINCIAL government is estimating how much it might cost to build the Northwest Transmission Line’s towers so that more lines could be added if demand to move power increases.
Making provision for expansion makes sense when building any kind of large infrastructure project, said provincial energy minister Blair Lekstrom about the plan to build the line 335km from the Skeena substation near Terrace up Hwy37 North.
“I think with a lot of the infrastructure you build in B.C. you build with a view for the future at the most economical cost,” Lekstrom said last week.
THE PROVINCIAL government is estimating how much it might cost to build the Northwest Transmission Line’s towers so that more lines could be added if demand to move power increases.
Making provision for expansion makes sense when building any kind of large infrastructure project, said provincial energy minister Blair Lekstrom about the plan to build the line 335km from the Skeena substation near Terrace up Hwy37 North.
“I think with a lot of the infrastructure you build in B.C. you build with a view for the future at the most economical cost,” Lekstrom said last week.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Alaska gas could bypass Alberta - Calgary Herald
Alaska gas could bypass Alberta
In a potential blow to Alberta's petrochemical sector, the proposed Alaska pipeline could bypass the province depending on the outcome of an open season filed Friday by the main sponsors -- Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. and Irving, Texas-based Exxon-Mobil Corp.
The partners formally submitted their intention to solicit shipping commitments for the proposed pipeline to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the first time in Alaska history that a regulatory application has been filed for natural gas development on the North Slope.
In a potential blow to Alberta's petrochemical sector, the proposed Alaska pipeline could bypass the province depending on the outcome of an open season filed Friday by the main sponsors -- Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. and Irving, Texas-based Exxon-Mobil Corp.
The partners formally submitted their intention to solicit shipping commitments for the proposed pipeline to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the first time in Alaska history that a regulatory application has been filed for natural gas development on the North Slope.
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