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Don Roberts

‘I just shake my head,’ advocate says of RFP

The Yukon government is taking steps to identify the economical pros and cons of developing shale oil and gas in the territory’s Liard Basin.

By Aimee O'Connor on February 5, 2016

The Yukon government is taking steps to identify the economical pros and cons of developing shale oil and gas in the territory’s Liard Basin.

In a request for proposals (RFP) posted on its tender management system, the government states it will be undertaking an analysis into the economic impacts.

This comes after last year’s 21 recommendations from the Select Committee Regarding the Risks and Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing.

Within the committee’s report from January 2015, it’s recommended that dialogue with First Nations and the public continue and detailed assessment of economic, humane health and social impacts be completed.

In addition, it called for more data and research around environmental impacts to water, greenhouse gas emissions, wildlife and seismicity.

The economic analysis is part of the government’s commitment to the recommendations, said Shona Mostyn, a spokesperson for the Department of Economic Development.

“This is just one piece of the big picture in understanding the potential benefits and impacts.”

The tender document for the analysis states that it will include cost estimates associated with development, operation and regulation and insight into what large-scale infrastructure might be necessary to do so.

In addition, it asks that markets where the oil and gas would be used are identified, as well as economic impacts such as gross domestic product, employment, wages and taxes.

But before any of this can start, the department awaits the formal assessment of shale resources to be published by the National Energy Board.

The assessment was meant to determine the extent of oil and gas resources in the Liard Basin.

“That information is only coming available in March,” Mostyn said.

It’s the final piece to the puzzle contractors would need before completing the economic analysis, she added.

Fracking has been an issue that’s both high-profile and contentious in the territory.

“Why are they going ahead with this .... I just shake my head,” Don Roberts, chair of Yukoners Concerned About Oil and Gas Exploration/Development, said this week.

From the beginning, Yukoners Concerned has been strongly opposed to any fracking in the territory, citing the potential for serious environmental impacts.

“From our point of view, they’re barking up the wrong tree,” Roberts said.

“(The government) should be looking at alternatives.”

Roberts admits this viewpoint is partly hypocritical, adding that even he uses fossil fuels regularly.

But “getting on the fast train” to finding energy alternatives is where the territory should be going, said the former Liberal cabinet minister of the early 2000s.

“I’m not an economist but I pick up what others are saying, and others are saying, ‘Do you really want to go down this path at this time?’”

Months ago, the territory hosted energy analyst David Hughes for a public discussion on fracking myths and realities.

At the time of his visit, he told the Star in an interview that the territory will need liquefied natural gas, without a doubt.

“But they could be more aggressive in terms of renewables ... and making consumption as efficient as possible,” Hughes said.

Proposals for the economic analysis will be accepted until the end of this month, and may not exceed $150,000.

“When it comes to what will be done with the report, we don’t have that answer yet,” Mostyn said.

The starting date is set at March 23, with a target completion date of Aug. 31.

The tender document states that “time is of the essence” for this project.

Comments (30)

Up 2 Down 2

Sally Wright on Feb 12, 2016 at 9:55 am

I just want to reassure the anonymous entities that haunt the comment section, that I stand by my writing, research and extensive experience with living with solar energy and also maximizing my space heating needs with wood and hydro on the grid.
Yes, the transportation problem is a hard one. I'd love an electric car, but I can't afford it, I have to settle for a diesel Smart car for now.
I wonder at all the negativity towards shifting away from fossil fuels. Yukon people spent $200 million to fill their transportation tanks with fossil fuels in 2014. A fraction of that money stayed in the territory and most of that energy was wasted because internal combustion engines waste 80% of that fuel through heat.
Imagine if the "fuel" was harvested from the sun, wind and water, stored in our electric cars, electrical thermal storage furnaces and the large household batteries that are being developed. Renewable energy projects are like a farm; the capital investment is huge at the beginning, but the sun and wind are free and endless ( though intermittent hence the storage backup, like a root cellar) . You just need to plant the seeds. Our children are asking us to start now.

The $150,000 our government is wasting on studying oil and gas in the southeast could be better used at developing a renewable energy project that helps Watson Lake get off diesel, or electrifying the Alaska Highway, helping places like Rancheria get an EV charger to run off their micro-hydro ect. So many opportunities when we get away from fossil fuels.

Up 3 Down 0

Josey Wales on Feb 11, 2016 at 9:23 pm

Um....PSG? Not sure how you feel about this but....
I, Josey loved your reply to the insanity posted 12:27.
Really dig that you articulated that so well.
Climate change zealots are the greatest example of a "progressive".
....and their insanity.

Up 18 Down 0

ProScience Greenie on Feb 11, 2016 at 12:27 pm

The "Massive Radiation Emergency" talked about in the video link provided by Mr. Rhein is easily debunked with a quick search. There is no radiation concern beyond normal radon levels found in any well drilled in that area. The story is all hype, fear and lies. That said, the Aliso Canyon gas leak is a serious event for sure.

Not sure how criticism of Roberts and the anti-everything crowd and the politics of global warming makes one not only a greedy global warming denying Harper supporter but also a Nazi sympathizer but that's today's progressive for you. You can swing more people away from the GW Denier camp with intelligent discussion than by labeling them Nazis - catch more flies with honey so to speak. You should try that. Using sound science and honest facts also helps.

For the record Mr. Rhein, I have been concerned about anthropomorphic global warming since I was young, reading popular science non-fiction books by such greats as Asimov and Sagan that talked about the greenhouse effect and warned us about the effect of our growing industrial emissions and global footprint. This is long before Al Gore and crew took it to the masses on the big screen and probably long before yourself, Roberts and others jumped on the bandwagon. For a couple decades now I have shared my concerns and argued for wiser use of energy and smartly getting off hydrocarbons. I believe we can get there without the use of fear, lies, exaggeration, fabricated emergencies, shaming of people with honest criticism and having to put on Che Guevara T-shirts and wear made-in-China plastic Guy Fawkes masks at an Occupy sit in on at the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

While I have major concerns about pushing oil and gas development in the Yukon as well as fracking, I will oppose all or parts of it based on sound science, economics and engineer not because the anti-everything crowd is trying to scare the pants off people in the same way that the Tea Party types tell us that we're all at risk because there is a terrorist hiding behind every door. Frankly if it were not for the difference in doomsday scenarios it is hard to tell the difference between the anti-everything and the teabagger camps.

BTW the scientists at the Yukon Geological Survey are friendly people and love to share their knowledge with the public and are more than willing to give anyone that walks in a Yukon Geology 101 lesson. It's time well spent. Bring Roberts and crew along with you.

Up 84 Down 2

something to think about on Feb 10, 2016 at 12:17 pm

@Alan Miner - pretty big statement which is largely inaccurate. Yes some people are unhappy with the Yukon Party, however, some people are also unhappy with Don Roberts and Sally Wright. I am fairly confident that it will be a wake up call when these two individuals do not get the support that you claim they have. They are too radical and from my perspective of dealing with at least Don and observing Sally, are bullies.

Up 2 Down 42

Werner Rhein on Feb 10, 2016 at 12:14 pm

Pro Science Greenie and all the other blind followers of an insane greed.
And by the way why do you have to hide behind pseudonyms?

What do you make now, after the genie is out the bottle in Los Angeles, from your comments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjbrQzrCRVg
Yes they are nothing, not researched and unfounded comments. They belong in the same category as the Germans who blindly followed Hitler, who had the same arguments about anyone who did not follow their belief, was fear mongering, was anti progress and should be put to dead.

After the war they all had the same excuse;
“We did not know”, “We just where following orders”
They never took the time or guts and looked behind the blinds.

About the economics; just look at Alberta now, after 40 years of swimming in money, they did not manage to put one iota aside. The oil price got a cough and the whole economy is in the gutter.

Did you bother to look at the geoscience; it says that any carbohydrate holding strata is shale in Yukon.
What that does mean? Fracking! Is fracking economical and safe? No it is not, nowhere on this earth.
They made a big mess everywhere they went. Ground water contaminated, water shortages in general, air pollution, noise pollution, light pollution,
“Radiation pollution” and a lot of people sick and dead.

Is this really what you want for our beautiful Yukon?

Up 9 Down 0

Mandeep on Feb 9, 2016 at 10:39 am

Something to take in:
The Truth about Alberta's Energy Industry
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/truth-albertas-energy-industry-steven-bell-bcomm

Long but easy to read and fact check

Up 19 Down 105

Alan Miner on Feb 8, 2016 at 4:20 pm

Most people are tired of the Yukon Party NOT Don Roberts OR Sally or the many people who keep an eye on the YP.

Up 74 Down 7

What is a hand full of people who are so against everything are so negative on Feb 8, 2016 at 3:05 pm

No common sense here with this statement. Most people just getting tired of it all.

Up 31 Down 11

ProScience Greenie on Feb 8, 2016 at 2:44 pm

Love this part of a comment down below - 'dumping 225 tonnes of possible radioactive waste from Northern Cross Yukon’s 4 exploratory wells at Eagle Plains'. It would be even more dramatic if the statement included a term like 'glowing in the dark' or 'mutated wildlife'.

The progressive crowd is not above exaggeration, lying, fear mongering and outright anti-science BS to get action. That is why many are parting ways with them as they are just as bad as the pro-develop everything crowd. Maybe even worse.

It would be nice if the anti crowd were to stop with that. Just give us the economic, science and engineering facts please. Most people are more than capable enough of making their own minds up with this.

Let's learn about the geoscience of this area and see what we have. Till then lets do something useful that most can agree on like making it mandatory to report any and all fluids and other substances used in any type of drilling anywhere in the Yukon. Mining companies do that so let's make it pan-industry. That'll get one fracking issue out of the way.

Up 52 Down 20

Trapper on Feb 7, 2016 at 8:02 pm

Ah the comments section of our local rags, where the expectation of any meaningful, logical debate on pretty much any subject pertaining to our fair territory quickly evaporates, to be replaced by the usual personal attacks and meaningless rhetoric spewed forth by the usual suspects.

Up 47 Down 78

Thank you on Feb 7, 2016 at 6:33 pm

I am very thankful to the people who are keeping the Yukon Party's feet to the fire on this, on their own dime and their own time, in the face of the big money that would love to see the Yukon become a resource extraction grid like Northern BC has become, and Alberta.

Thank you. We all do what we can, I fight other battles, and I recognize your commitment to our country and our ecology in the Yukon.

Up 53 Down 88

fractured on Feb 7, 2016 at 6:19 pm

Groucho "hydrocarbons are going to be around for some time.." Is that an excuse for fracking the Yukon and polluting the waters; Hey, why not frack the whole planet?
You might want to consider running for Premier. Have you no love for the beauty of the Yukon, have you no regard for children of the future?

Up 67 Down 31

Groucho d'North on Feb 7, 2016 at 11:11 am

The RFP is to obtain information not yet confirmed. Having knowledge of something before decisions related to it are made is only practical. Sad the value of this process is lost on a former teacher. Hydrocarbon fuels will be around for some time to come despite all the posturing from the anti- this and that crowd.

Up 28 Down 63

fractured on Feb 6, 2016 at 6:16 pm

What does this have to do with the International Forum on climate change?
India wants the West to provide money so alternatives for coal can be developed.
India goes to Russia and spends 6 billion on weapons that will destroy people, animals and the environment.
Australia is expanding its coal port for exporting coal.
Britain wants to Frack the National parks, places of outstanding natural beauty set aside for future generations.

Yukon Party wants to frack the Yukon, and open the peel for mining.
Yukon Party should be seen in the same category as the above mentioned threats to life, limb and future; Hypocrites that say one thing and do another.
God and Nature have become the enemies of mankind, bring it on!

Up 34 Down 86

June Jackson on Feb 6, 2016 at 1:04 pm

I couldn't say it any better than previous posters. I am writing to support their views. (Lost, Sally Anon, North, well said.)

Because some people disable their cookies and vote multiple times, the thumbs up might not reflect an accurate public opinion.

Up 47 Down 50

Stephen Dall on Feb 6, 2016 at 12:56 pm

I write from Devon in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Sunoco wants to lay pipes to move gas from western PA through the county - affecting about 120 or so private properties to connect up with the refineries at Marcus Hook on the Delaware river. Even though Sunoco is a private company, they claim right of eminent domain !
The jury is still out on fracking, but clearly the risks are substantially more threatening than the benefits (read money). Speaking of money, Sunoco's goal is to refine and export. Does Whitehorse expect mega windfalls of cash in return for what can and will affect the quality of life?
At the top of the list of hazards is the direct threat to the ground water. The chemicals used in fracking will leach into the ground water, and Yukon's grandchildren's grandchildren will be affected. Here in Pennsylvania, it is only a matter of time before the Delaware River water Gap, the main source of drinking water for Philadelphia, the nation's 4th or 5th largest city, is compromised by the Marcellus Shale drilling.
What, therefore, can Whitehorse and other areas of the Yukon do?
In addition to what we all know about wind turbines and solar panels town populations can share more rides. With the help of surveys, people could contact each other and arrange to be picked up or dropped off. We are creatures of habit, especially when it comes to work schedules. If I, for example, always went to the barber shop on Tuesdays and I would be coming from a certain direction, someone on the way - given a 10 minute range flexibility- could be given a lift. A master picture wouldn't be hard to create, stored in i-cloud and accessed by any participant with a I-phone. We have to act now because fossil fuels/chemicals are destroying us.
Best wishes and P.S: Imagine the number of people of Whitehorse one would come to know.
Stephen Dall

Up 58 Down 22

Until we have a replacement for gas on Feb 6, 2016 at 10:09 am

You can't just stop using something until you have a replacement and all the science including most environmentalist agree nature gas is the best fuel.

Up 73 Down 46

not to worry north on Feb 5, 2016 at 9:09 pm

There is quite a few that would like to help shake his head

Up 110 Down 82

Adam Smith on Feb 5, 2016 at 8:13 pm

I would like informed decisions about oil and gas. I am not prepared to let Mr. Roberts to tell me how to think. Thank you YTG for getting ALL the facts.

Up 66 Down 53

Yukon lifer on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:54 pm

" just shake my head" the comments from Don. I shake my head because in this article he even said he uses fossel fuels but doesn't think oil and gas is good for the yukon. Everyone that complains about the oil and gas industry and I continue to shake my head at you. You guys are driving vehicles or take the bus. How do you think they run from wind or electricity? No - they run on diesel gas or gasoline. Where do you think that comes from? Computers, cell phones TV's, how do you think they're made from, nothing? Everything now a days comes from the oil and gas sector and also mining because of the minerals they use.
If you guys want to complain maybe stop uses your vehicles, house hold products. Park everything and walk to and from work. Use candles to light your houses, use wood heat because propane and heating oil is a fossil fuel. Maybe after you stop all of that you might realize what the oil and gas have done to help you out in the long term. I would love to see how people would like to walk in 49 below 15-20 km or ride a horse to and from work.

Up 52 Down 29

JC on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:49 pm

Lost in the Yukon, when you say the Yukon Party can't be believed, you better include the Liberals and the NDP.

Up 57 Down 36

JC on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:47 pm

Sally Wright, when are you going to stop using fossil fuel energy. That includes oil lamps, batteries, even wood? Don't all cause damage to the environment. Do you have solar panels and/or wind turbines set up yet? When? Now is a good time to stop using fossil fuel energy since the Yukon is experiencing such unusually warm winters. Let me know so I can participate.

Up 57 Down 36

JC on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:43 pm

Whitehorse Star. When are you going to give the Conservative views some space in your newspaper?

Up 94 Down 70

JC on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:42 pm

Don Roberts, I think you are barking down the wrong tree. The evironmentalists don't have a single piece of evidence that fracking is dangerous. Fracking is going strong in the US and many other countries and no damage is being reported only lies. In fact fracking has been going on at least since the 1950s. I for one am sick and tired of the environmentalists and FN shutting down mining and oil and gas industries in Canada. Get a job that pays honest wages.

Up 63 Down 91

Sourdough on Feb 5, 2016 at 5:36 pm

From where does the hypocritical Yukon Party Government get the advice to do a request for proposal about the pros and cons for fracking in the Liard Basin?
Is this maybe a possibility to save face and finally get out of the O&G business in Yukon?
Or why do they pick now, after more than a year to fulfill at least one of the 21 recommendations from the Select Committee Regarding the Risks and Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing, the worst one to succeed?
Any Consultant who can count two and two together must tell the YP government that it is not feasible to have a successful Fracking industry that far North.
Right now, in the lower 48, top Fracking companies selling of their equipment for 38 Cents on the Dollar. The rats leave the sinking ship.
Why did it take these hypocrites more than a year to try to start fulfilling the 21 recommendations?
Then so far not one is fulfilled or can anyone show me the results of least some.
Why did they not start with the ones, which will take at least two years, like water, soil and air baseline data?
Why does the now amended Yukon Oil & Gas Act and considered to be world class has not one word in it about the handling of radioactive drilling and production waste? Or, as a matter of fact, any other Health and Safety Act, in the Yukon to protect works and the public?

With cancer on the rise everywhere in humans and animals, where is the public outcry after dumping 225 tonnes of possible radioactive waste from Northern Cross Yukon’s 4 exploratory wells at Eagle Plains, at the Arctic Back Hoe owned War Eagle Dump above Whitehorse City’s drinking water resources? And another 6300 tonnes transported to Fort Nelson without proper declaration what it actually is?

Why is this government still pushing for an Oil and Gas development in Yukon? Especially that close to an election, do they just want to waste even more taxpayers money?

Up 82 Down 66

Lost in the Yukon on Feb 5, 2016 at 4:29 pm

Dearest Sally ... the only purpose of this RFP is one last kick at a lucrative contract for a loyalist. It appears that much that has transpired over the last year is to ensure economic benefit for a certain group. The new Salvation Army is being built on land that was owned by ... who? The new building going up next to the Jamieson slum is owned by ... who? That same owner managed to secure a long term lease from a YG department for one whole floor ... how did that happen? There are many more examples out there. By the time the Pharmacist is out of office the cupboards will be bare for the next government.

Up 131 Down 184

Sally Wright on Feb 5, 2016 at 3:54 pm

The way the oil and gas industry is imploding under the weight of low oil prices, it's obviously a filthy product which has not been properly regulated for years and the international agreements that Canada has signed to reduce emissions, all in the news daily. One has to wonder who in the government actually reads the business column.
The age of oil is done. The Select Committee's recommendations are only that, recommendations and they are out of date now with Paris, and the Federal Election. Why on earth would we further subsidize the oil industry, this time with a $150,000 economic analysis when most of us could do it for free.

We need to work towards a renewable energy, low carbon future. The time to start is now. Drop the RfP.

Up 52 Down 79

Anon on Feb 5, 2016 at 3:42 pm

Pretty ballsy move with an election right around the corner

Up 134 Down 163

Lost in the Yukon on Feb 5, 2016 at 3:41 pm

“When it comes to what will be done with the report, we don’t have that answer yet,” Mostyn said.

Just like the lead up to the last election when pressed on his and the Yukon Parties position on the Peel, the answer was "we don't have one". Yet within months of being re-elected they come down with their position that was a 180 degree turn from the Planning Commission. The point is ... the Yukon Party is not to be trusted or believed.

Up 147 Down 99

north on Feb 5, 2016 at 3:26 pm

I just shake my head that this man is still trying to be in the political picture...

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