Beyond petroleum: It’s time to rebrand Alberta

It’s time for Alberta to rebrand itself, to become the “BP” of Canada by moving “beyond petroleum” and on to bio-products, and aiming to be known as a total energy producer with a significant stake in both renewable and non-renewable resources.

If Alberta makes tangible investments in bio-products and smart bio-energy policies, infrastructure and activities, the province could take an appropriate leadership position in new markets, including new strains of crops specifically tailored for fuel, in order to maximize both fuel and food supply. In doing so, it could also demonstrate a sincere and sustaining commitment to our country’s future.
Forecasts show a continuing world demand for energy that fossil fuels alone are unlikely to satisfy. Last week, CIBC World Markets warned of $100-a-barrel oil by the end of next year. Although Canada is self-sufficient, satisfying North American demand will require exploitation of all forms of energy, including renewables.

Alberta could engage other Canadians in a positive dialogue, because all regions of the country have the potential to develop forms of bio-energy. Alberta could build strong alliances with Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Saskatchewan and other regions, sharing an energy future by working together as key stakeholders.

Two years ago, the Energy Council of Canada brought together a coalition of 20 energy industry associations, which successfully persuaded energy ministers from across Canada to work with them in devising a Canadian energy policy. Their central message was simple: Supply is lagging behind demand.

Energy represents 14.5 per cent of Canadian exports to the United States and almost 10 per cent of total U.S. energy supply, but the latter position is slowly being eroded.

We need action and investment on all fronts, including investment in renewable resources. Biomass and wind (2.1 per cent of electricity generation in 2002) was specifically projected to grow by almost a third to 7 per cent of total energy demand by 2020 — that’s a big number.

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