Open borders for energy a necessity: former U.S. FERC chairman: Knowledge Driven Revolution

Related - Alberta could see 'backlash' if future premier tries to change oilsands rules

Tighter economic ties and less red tape are inevitable as Canada and the United States create a more open border for energy, the former chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday.

"In all the major commodities - gas, oil, electricity and now biofuel development, I see there's a lot of common interest," Pat Wood told the Canadian Press. "It's not a future event - it's a current event and thankfully Canada has a lot of great resources that I'm glad they're willing to share for a good penny."

Wood spent four years as head of the commission, the independent regulator of U.S interstate pipelines and wholesale electric power industries.

He was in Calgary to speak at a Fraser Institute dinner to mark the establishment of the Centre for Energy Policy Studies.

Opposition to further integrating energy markets between the two countries has mostly disappeared, Wood said.

Canada's position as part of a secure North American energy supply for the U.S. has been acknowledged by U.S. President George W. Bush.

Things were different 15 years ago.

"In the early 1990's we were fussing about building the Iroquois pipeline in New York. The Texas producers were so upset that the Canadians were coming in and taking away the New England market," Wood said.

"Well thank God they did because we ended up running pretty low on gas these past few years. We're now seeing that kind of infrastructure investment happening on the oil side as the oilsands continue to develop."

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein told the dinner the way people look at energy has changed dramatically.

"The biggest change is the realization that having cheap and plentiful energy is something we can no longer take for granted. And we're learning the hard way if you don't have energy security, you don't have any security at all," Klein said.

"A secure energy future is crucial for North America and it's achievable, but to make it happen we need to ensure open energy markets and effective regulatory structures."

Klein told U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney last summer it would be politically wise to visit Alberta's oilsands and show U.S. voters all the benefits of a secure energy supply.

Reserves in the oilsands have been estimated at 174 billion barrels.

One of the few remaining hurdles that could hinder increased cooperation between the two countries is the environment, Wood said.

"The environmental issues and security of supply just all sort of come together and that's a big one. I think with the environmental Canadians are just more attuned to that than Americans" he said.

"Canada ratified Kyoto and the Americans did not, so people kind of draw their conclusions from that."

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HOME Canadians Should Pay NOT to be Poisoned: NDP V for Vendetta - R for Reality Canadian Bird Flu Pandemic Looming ? Shill of the Week: Stephan Harper Aspartame: The Sweetest Killer Chicken Little Terrorist of the Week: Creating Fake Terrorists Shill of the Week: Paul Martin The Number 1 Reason YOU became a Slave	Open borders for energy a necessity: former U.S. FERC chairman BILL GRAVELAND - CP October 12, 2006 Related - Alberta could see 'backlash' if future premier tries to change oilsands rules Tighter economic ties and less red tape are inevitable as Canada and the United States create a more open border for energy, the former chairman of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday. "In all the major commodities - gas, oil, electricity and now biofuel development, I see there's a lot of common interest," Pat Wood told the Canadian Press. "It's not a future event - it's a current event and thankfully Canada has a lot of great resources that I'm glad they're willing to share for a good penny." Wood spent four years as head of the commission, the independent regulator of U.S interstate pipelines and wholesale electric power industries. He was in Calgary to speak at a Fraser Institute dinner to mark the establishment of the Centre for Energy Policy Studies. Opposition to further integrating energy markets between the two countries has mostly disappeared, Wood said. Canada's position as part of a secure North American energy supply for the U.S. has been acknowledged by U.S. President George W. Bush. Things were different 15 years ago. "In the early 1990's we were fussing about building the Iroquois pipeline in New York. The Texas producers were so upset that the Canadians were coming in and taking away the New England market," Wood said. "Well thank God they did because we ended up running pretty low on gas these past few years. We're now seeing that kind of infrastructure investment happening on the oil side as the oilsands continue to develop." Alberta Premier Ralph Klein told the dinner the way people look at energy has changed dramatically. "The biggest change is the realization that having cheap and plentiful energy is something we can no longer take for granted. And we're learning the hard way if you don't have energy security, you don't have any security at all," Klein said. "A secure energy future is crucial for North America and it's achievable, but to make it happen we need to ensure open energy markets and effective regulatory structures." Klein told U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney last summer it would be politically wise to visit Alberta's oilsands and show U.S. voters all the benefits of a secure energy supply. Reserves in the oilsands have been estimated at 174 billion barrels. One of the few remaining hurdles that could hinder increased cooperation between the two countries is the environment, Wood said. "The environmental issues and security of supply just all sort of come together and that's a big one. I think with the environmental Canadians are just more attuned to that than Americans" he said. "Canada ratified Kyoto and the Americans did not, so people kind of draw their conclusions from that." Read the full article here Broken Link? If the link to the original article is broken or has been altered you can view the article by clicking here. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Features Archive
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