Texas voters elect conservative Craddick as oil regulator
Texas reelected Christi Craddick, a conservative incumbent in her third term as the state's chief oil regulator. This is a victory for the industry which has seen its production increase during her tenure. According to the most recent government statistics…
After a tight win, the New Democratic Party (NDP) of British Columbia will form a government with ties to the left.
The New Democratic Party of Premier David Eby, who is currently in office, will form the next government for British Columbia. This comes after a final count of votes on Monday. It was more than a full week since the vote of October 19. The NDP won 47 seats, just enough for a majority in Canada's westmost province.
Voters in British Columbia's provincial election are focused on affordability and healthcare.
British Columbia, Canada's most western province, is preparing to elect its provincial government on October 19. Polls indicate that the incumbent New Democratic Party holds a narrow lead over the main rival Conservative Party. The provincial elections will…
Canada Ready to Cover Kinder Morgan Loss
Canada is prepared to cover some losses Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd might suffer if a proposed oil pipeline expansion is delayed and thinks other investors are ready to step in if need be, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said on Wednesday. The company has given…
Trudeau's Political Troubles Boil as Pipeline Surprise Weighs
Canada's government got just 24 hours notice that it would be thrust into a political and economic crisis by an ultimatum from a pipeline operator, government sources said, leaving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau scrambling for options in a dispute that could damage his re-election chances.
CNOOC Ends Feasibility Study for Western Canadian LNG Terminal
China's CNOOC Ltd said on Thursday it will end the feasibility study for its (LNG) export terminal on British Columbia's coast due to low global commodity prices, in the latest setback for Canada's energy industry. Nexen Energy, a unit of CNOOC, said in a statement…
Norway's Labour Calls for Debate on Oil Tax Regime
Norway should review its generous tax regime on oil drilling because of climate change, the opposition Labour party said on Monday, three weeks before a parliamentary election which opinion polls suggest it is on course to win. Labour's Marianne Marthinsen…
Petronas Scraps $29 bln Canada LNG Project
Decision widely expected after long delay, weak prices. Malaysian oil company Petronas has scrapped a proposed C$36 billion ($29 billion) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in western Canada due to weak prices, in a blow to both its global ambitions and Canada's hopes of becoming a major LNG player.
Alberta Committed to Seeing Trans Mountain Pipeline to Completion
Alberta's provincial government said on Tuesday that it remained "steadfastly committed" to seeing the Trans Mountain crude oil pipeline through to completion. British Columbia's minority Green Party on Monday struck a deal with the left-leaning New Democrats to govern Canada's western-most province…
Oslo's Radical 'Climate Budget' Aims to Halve Carbon Emissions
Oslo's leftist city government issued its first "climate budget" on Wednesday aiming to halve greenhouse gas emission within four years in one of the world's most radical experiments to slow global warming. The budget, setting out annual goals to choke off emissions from cars…
Stein Faces Probe Over N. Dakota Pipeline Protest
Authorities in North Dakota are investigating possible charges against U.S. Green Party presidential candidate for allegedly damaging equipment during protests on Tuesday over construction of an oil pipeline in the state. Jill Stein allegedly was part of a…
Brexit Could Provide Boost for Britain's Shale Gas
Britain's shale gas industry could get a helping hand from a falling pound and a supportive new prime minister just as it is gearing up for its first production this year, after facing economic and political challenges that slowed its start. The British pound's…
Sweden to Cut Taxes on Nuclear Power Generation
Sweden said on Friday it would phase out some taxes on nuclear power and build new reactors to replace aging plants and secure energy supplies for decades to come. Nuclear power providers in Sweden have said they would be forced to shut the country's loss-making…
Vattenfall Puts Pressure on Swedish Government to Cut Nuclear Tax
State-owned Swedish utility Vattenfall will struggle to invest in required safety upgrades of its nuclear reactors in Sweden if the government doesn't abolish its tax on nuclear power, Chief Executive Magnus Hall said on Thursday. His comments put further pressure…
U.N. Climate Deal 'Quite Close' - Latvian President
World leaders are "quite close" to reaching a deal to fight climate change when they meet in Paris from Monday, Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, Europe's first Green party head of state, said, adding any deal should be legally binding. Vejonis urged participants at the U.N. summit in Paris from Nov. 30-Dec.
Oslo's Pension Fund to Pull Out From Oil, Gas Firms
The Norwegian capital's public pension fund will divest its holdings of companies producing oil and gas to give it a greener profile, the newly elected centre-left city council said on Monday. Oslo Pensjonsforsikring had already began divesting from coal under the outgoing right-wing council…
Croatia Eyes Adriatic Oil Potential
Croatia to sign oil, gas exploration licences in June/July. When Croatia announced in 2013 it would set a tender to explore for oil and gas in its pristine Adriatic waters, the government evoked the hydrocarbon riches of Norway to win over the plan's many detractors.
Norway to Match EU on Climate Goals, Easing Oil Industry Fears
Norway will match a European Union goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 under a government plan announced on Wednesday, easing oil industry fears of tougher unilateral curbs. Norway's target will be part of a U.N.
Sweden Doubles Waste Fee for Nuclear Power Plants
Sweden's government has decided to almost double a fee nuclear power plant operators pay to the nuclear waste fund, in order to help it cover the rising costs of decommissioning, the environment ministry said on Thursday. Sweden's state-owned utility Vattenfall operates Forsmark and Ringhals power plants…
Vattenfall Puts Nuclear Plans on Hold
Sweden's Vattenfall will drop plans to build new nuclear reactors because a new government, which includes the Green Party, doesn't support them, the company said on Friday. The previous centre-right government overturned a policy of phasing out nuclear power…