The world does not have much experience with carbon cap and trade schemes. The European ETS has only been in operation since 2006 and early experience has been generally negative. Price fluctuations in carbon permits have allowed coal-based power generators to make big profits. This means they actually increased their power output and hence...
Emission trading
Alberta oilsands face threats from the U.S.: if not Waxman, then Lieberman-Warner II
To read new posts, see the Canadian Energy Issues homepage Section 526 of the 2007 U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act prohibits U.S. federal agencies from buying fuels whose lifecycle emissions are higher than those of conventional petroleum. This means U.S. agencies cannot buy Alberta oilsands petroleum the way it is produced today. Which...
Storm clouds gathering around European carbon trading scheme: a growing credibility gap
To read new posts, see the Canadian Energy Issues homepage When they championed carbon cap-and-trade schemes, forward-thinking European environmentalists thought they had outmaneuvered their opponents in the mainly coal-fired power generation industry. Greens who wanted emitters to pay for pollution felt vulnerable to accusations that they want to hurt business and the economy. Their...
Alberta’s route to massive carbon reduction: a winnable war
Fighting the climate change war in Alberta is a two-front proposition. There’s power generation and there’s the oilsands. Both are the biggest emitters of their kind in Canada (see article). And unless there is progress in both, or at least a credible plan for progress, customers for the province’s major export, petroleum, will become...
Will renewable energy reduce carbon emissions?
A month ago, I paid US$100 to retire 12 tons’ worth of carbon allowances from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. I received several handsome certificates, which I dedicated to several family members. The certificates promise that the allowances will indeed be retired from RGGI. At the time, I wondered what that promise is really...
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