The time is fast approaching when the NB Power Commission will make a decision on the future of the Mactaquac Dam. In 2013 they announced that the generating station was deteriorating to the point that it would not be useable beyond 2030, and that a decision on what to with it would have to be … Continue reading “Mactaquac Dam Hanging in the Balance”
Category: Energy Futures Columns
Can We Follow Germany’s Route to Renewable Energy?
In the early 1970’s I attended a conference on long-term agricultural planning at the federal Research Centre in Fredericton where I had a memorable conversation with a soil scientist from Ottawa. He was as frustrated with the conference as I was but for a somewhat different reason. I was stymied by an almost contemptuous dismissal … Continue reading “Can We Follow Germany’s Route to Renewable Energy?”
The Future of Mactaquac Dam
It has been recognized for some time by independent experts, and now by NB Power, that Mactaquac dam is nearing the end of its life and will not be safe beyond 2030. This means the time is at hand for serious research and informed public consultation on the future of the dam and the St. … Continue reading “The Future of Mactaquac Dam”
Species at Risk in New Brunswick – How you can help!
SAR in NB Did you know that freshwater turtles living in New Brunswick can spend up to five months underwater throughout the winter? Or that hatchling turtles are capable of freezing solid, thawing out, and coming back to life? Did you know the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on earth, and can dive-bomb its … Continue reading “Species at Risk in New Brunswick – How you can help!”
Energy Futures Columns
Energy Futures was a column written by members of the Sustainable Energy Group and Transition Town Woodstock 2014-2016 to stimulate reflection, discussion and understanding of the economic and energy choices that are now before us, both personally and as a province. Columns Archive 2016 Mactaquac Dam Hanging in the Balance by Keith Helmuth, March 16, … Continue reading “Energy Futures Columns”
Our Historic Energy Dilemma
The historical facts of our energy situation are clear. Since the early days of the 20th Century the development of modern societies has been based on a huge injection of hydrocarbon energy. This sudden and unusual injection of energy must realistically be understood as a temporary subsidy. At the beginning of this hydrocarbon era, large … Continue reading “Our Historic Energy Dilemma”
It’s Time for Long Range Energy Planning
Critical information on long-range energy planning continues to build up an encouraging picture of the future. Consider the following: The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has issued a major report for the oil rich, Gulf region financial services sector showing that renewable energy development will competitively displace oil and gas within the next decade. PNC … Continue reading “It’s Time for Long Range Energy Planning”
For Whom the Investment Bell Tolls
A strange thing is happening on the way to our energy future. The North American hydrocarbon bubble that the oil industry has been inflating is now suffering some serious punctures. For one thing, a decrease in consumer demand is depressing prices, which is bad news for Canadian oil sands, deep sea, and tight shale extraction, … Continue reading “For Whom the Investment Bell Tolls”
Worldwide Climate Action Now
The good news is the weekend of September 20-21 saw the largest worldwide demonstration ever for political action on climate change. Hundreds of thousands of citizens in cities around the world joined the People’s Climate March for climate action now. They called on their political leaders to act together in global cooperation to stem the … Continue reading “Worldwide Climate Action Now”
Vulnerability to Peak Oil
Although much about our energy future is uncertain, energy science analysts are in agreement about the future of oil and other hydrocarbons: Their costs will rise, they will become harder to obtain, and they will eventually become depleted and phased out as an economically viable and source energy. There is general agreement that we are … Continue reading “Vulnerability to Peak Oil”