With Brad Wall gone, the energy sector needs a new defender: Lorne Gunter

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall hasn’t even left office yet and already I miss him. Wall announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as premier and leader of the Saskatchewan Party. Now who will defend the energy sector and Western Canada? Prime Minister Justin “Phase-Out-the-Oilsands” Trudeau can’t be counted on. He and his cabinet are already plotting a new environmental approval process that will all but dry up oilsands and pipeline investment. Will Alberta Premier Rachel “Carbon Tax” Notley be the West’s new champion? Nope. British Columbia’s John “No Pipelines” Horgan? Not a chance. Pro-growth Ontarians, Quebecers and Atlantic Canadians should care about this. A vibrant Western energy sector drives business success, job creation, government revenues and transfer payments across the country. - Toronto Sun

Energy sector loses an ally with Brad Wall’s departure: Deborah Yedlin

The energy sector is one year away from losing a passionate and articulate advocate. The reaction from Canada’s energy sector could only be described as one of collective disappointment, though many expressed views that he will continue to be active and effective in a different role, once he determines what that should be. Wall was the outspoken advocate—the guy who wasn’t afraid to link economic growth driven by natural resource development, talk of its importance not just to the province of Saskatchewan but to the entire country. The news hit the same day as the B.C. government said it was seeking intervener status in opposition to the Trans Mountain Expansion project and it dramatically underscored the differences between the governments of B.C. and Saskatchewan. - Calgary Herald

Why liquid natural gas remains a coveted green solution: Stewart Muir

Northern British Columbia residents are already referring to the July 25 cancellation of the Pacific NorthWest liquid natural gas (LNG) project as Black Tuesday. Meanwhile, some critics have been quick to seize on the announcement as proof that liquefied natural gas is not a “real” opportunity or that the cancellation has spared British Columbia all kinds of terrible economic and environmental consequences. While Western Canada’s prospects to be a global player in LNG are evolving, continuing developments prove they are not vanishing. LNG remains a rewarding, desirable and realistic play. - Globe and Mail

U.S. would feel Canada’s pain from NAFTA changes: Chris Varcoe

As Canada, Mexico and the United States sit down this week to begin renegotiating NAFTA, here’s one thing for our southern neighbours to ponder. Any action that gores Canada’s ox on energy will also hurt the U.S. It’s not only the Texas oil patch that could get squeezed by protectionist measures that impede trade but in states such as California and Illinois. - Calgary Herald

Alberta could retaliate against B.C. over Trans Mountain, but it may get ugly: Reid Southwick

After the B.C. government stepped up its fight against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, there were new calls for the federal and Alberta governments to consider retaliation over a divisive project that has cleared major regulatory hurdles. While mechanisms are available to either override B.C. opposition or punish the province, several observers said Friday few options are palatable to federal or provincial governments. United Conservative Party candidates Jason Kenney, Doug Schweitzer and Jeff Callaway have publicly mused about potential retaliation against B.C., with Schweitzer proposing to “kick” the province “out of the New West Partnership.” They’re not alone in thinking B.C.’s hard line should be met with a comparably firm response, if the province is successful in blocking or significantly delaying the project. - Vancouver Sun

Tax the big polluters, not working people: Lloyd Kerry

While we’re looking at the Island government’s climate change fight, let’s look at the two main producers of carbon here on P.E.I. The first is energy used in heating our homes and businesses. I tried to do something about it in 2015; I got rid of my oil-spill-waiting-to-happen oil tank and my carbon-belching furnace and went with propane. Much cleaner, no chance of a spill. Instead of a thank you letter from the premier for producing less pollution, I get a kick in the teeth in the form of 10% more taxes on my energy source because I was not in the 95% of Islanders who use oil. If you bring in a carbon tax, tax the right people. Tax those who produce the most pollution, like big businesses, not working people. These companies claim fuel taxes on their corporate income tax. We working people cannot. And working people vote. - The Guardian

United States 

Do Fossil Fuel Protesters Know How Much Those Fuels Impact Their Lives?: David Blackmon

Last Friday, the American Statesman published apiece titled “About 100 Protesters Call For Austin To End Fossil Fuel Use For Power.” Being from Texas, I read the piece and viewed the video attached to the story with great interest. The protesters were on-hand to oppose a proposed plan that would increase the city’s use of renewable fuel to 65% by 2027. In a state rich in natural gas resources for power generation, this goal wasn’t aggressive enough for these 100 souls. My first thought upon seeing the group of protesters was to wonder how many of them drove to the site of the protest in gasoline-powered cars, which make up about 99% of automobile fleet in Texas? Many in the group were wearing sneakers. I can’t help wondering if they know that those shoes are in part made from petroleum products? Some carried backpacks – do they know that parts of many such items are to some extent made from petroleum products? - Forbes

Husky to buy refinery in Superior, Wisconsin for US$435-million cash: Dan Healing

Husky Energy is buying a refinery in Wisconsin for $435-million USD in cash. The refinery at Superior, Wisconsin will increase the Calgary-based energy company's processing capacity by 50,000 barrels per day. The purchase, which is subject to regulatory approval, will bring Husky's total downstream capacity to 395,000 barrels per day and add to its asphalt production. Husky plans to retain the approximately 180 workers at the refinery. The seller is Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP of Indianapolis, which operates 13 manufacturing facilities in several states. The Superior refinery has been processing light and heavy crude from the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota and Western Canada. - CTV News