Don't expect wind power to replace coal as the nation's main source of electric power, whatever Obama's interior secretary said.
Summary
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Day Of Mourning
April 28, 2009 is the 25th anniversary of
the founding of the International Day of
Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on
the Job. Initiated by the labour movement
through the Canadian Labour Congress in
1984, the day has taken on more significance
and is marked around the world.
Thirty one workers were killed on the job
in Saskatchewan during 2008. Ceremonies
to honour those killed and injured on the job
will take place at the following:
Estevan & District Labour
Committee Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00
pm at the Estevan provincial courthouse
lawn in front of the Coal Car Memorial.
Call Delaine Turner at 306-634-5268 or
306-421-8333.
Humboldt & District Labour Council
Call Bryan Barnes at 306-682-4466.
Moose Jaw & District Labour
Council Tuesday, April 28th at 6:00 pm
at the Moose Jaw Union Centre (1402
Caribou St. W.) Call the office at 306-
692-8046.
North Battleford & District Labour
Council Contact Colin Lemauviel at
coconb@sasktel.net.
Prince Albert & District Labour
Council Tuesday, April 28th at 5:00 pm
at the City Hall courtyard. Call Faye Hill
at 306-922-0600.
Regina & District Labour Council
Tuesday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. in front
of the Caron in the City Hall courtyard.
Call the RDLC office at 306-757-7076 or
rdlc@sasktel.net.
Saskatoon & District Labour
Council Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m.
at the Francis Morrison Library (311-23rd
Street East). Call Kelly Harrington,
president at 306-384-0303.
Weyburn & District Labour Council
Monday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m. behind
the TC Douglas Calvary Centre (400-
10th Ave. SE). Call Wanda Bartlett at
306-842-7938.
Yorkton & District Labour Council
Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. on the
front lawn of A-180 Broadway St. W. in
Yorkton. Call Maryann Federko at 306-
621-8948.
the founding of the International Day of
Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on
the Job. Initiated by the labour movement
through the Canadian Labour Congress in
1984, the day has taken on more significance
and is marked around the world.
Thirty one workers were killed on the job
in Saskatchewan during 2008. Ceremonies
to honour those killed and injured on the job
will take place at the following:
Estevan & District Labour
Committee Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00
pm at the Estevan provincial courthouse
lawn in front of the Coal Car Memorial.
Call Delaine Turner at 306-634-5268 or
306-421-8333.
Humboldt & District Labour Council
Call Bryan Barnes at 306-682-4466.
Moose Jaw & District Labour
Council Tuesday, April 28th at 6:00 pm
at the Moose Jaw Union Centre (1402
Caribou St. W.) Call the office at 306-
692-8046.
North Battleford & District Labour
Council Contact Colin Lemauviel at
coconb@sasktel.net.
Prince Albert & District Labour
Council Tuesday, April 28th at 5:00 pm
at the City Hall courtyard. Call Faye Hill
at 306-922-0600.
Regina & District Labour Council
Tuesday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. in front
of the Caron in the City Hall courtyard.
Call the RDLC office at 306-757-7076 or
rdlc@sasktel.net.
Saskatoon & District Labour
Council Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m.
at the Francis Morrison Library (311-23rd
Street East). Call Kelly Harrington,
president at 306-384-0303.
Weyburn & District Labour Council
Monday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m. behind
the TC Douglas Calvary Centre (400-
10th Ave. SE). Call Wanda Bartlett at
306-842-7938.
Yorkton & District Labour Council
Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. on the
front lawn of A-180 Broadway St. W. in
Yorkton. Call Maryann Federko at 306-
621-8948.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
IBEW manager says agreement was no behind the scenes deal
By Norm Park - Estevan Mercury
Contrary to what appeared in an April 9 press release from the CBC, stating that a deal between a union and Bruce Power was being crafted behind the scenes, the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2067 said it just isn't that way at all.
"There's no closed door, conspiracy thing going on at all," said Neil Collins. "That's not how I work, that's not how the IBEW works," he said.
In fact, he said the membership of the IBEW local that represents about 1,600 workers, has been kept abreast of unfolding scenarios surrounding the possibilities of nuclear power generation in Saskatchewan since talk about it irst began in earnest.
Bruce Power is considering construction of a nuclear power plant while IBEW Local 2067 represents employees at SaskPower's coal-fired power plants.
Copies of the agreement signed by Bruce Power president Duncan Hawthorne and Collins were sent to IBEW members a couple of weeks ago.
The letter of agreement notes that if a nuclear power plant(s) does eventually get a green light to produce up to 2,200 megawatts of electrical power in Saskatchewan, the IBEW will be the integral part of the operations and maintenance of the facility while not negatively impacting any of the existing generating facilties or their IBEW employees.
The union, in the letter, also agrees to work with Bruce Power on nuclear advocacy and development of a communications protocol with regards to nuclear power.
According to Collins, the discussions and their results have been made known to the IBEW membership all along.
If approval is gained for a nuclear plant, probably located somewhere between Lloydminster and Prince Albert near the Saskatchewan River, construction could begin as early as 2017 or 2018.
"I'm just looking after the interests of the union members, the future," said Collins. "If a nuclear plant is going to be built here, who would you like to have operating it? Do you want the local guys or someone from somewhere else? If it is going to be Local 2067, then it will involve extensive and intensive training for a few years."
Collins denied that he or anyone else is undermining the coal generating plants in the SaskPower system by climbing into an agreement with the nuclear front runner company.
"Coal is in the future. There is a 300 year supply of it around Estevan. Clean coal projects will move ahead. We can be a global leader with clean coal. If we develop nuclear, I would guess that as much as 70 per cent of it might be exported. They'd probably have to do that to make the nuclear argument," said Collins.
"I see Boundary Dam and Shand being retrofitted for clean coal once it's proven. We can advance that technology with the Boundary Dam Unit 3 retrofit and there would be nothing stopping Saskatchewan from building the first greenfield clean coal power plant. So for anyone to suggest that I, or anyone in the union is talking about coal being on the way out, it's just not correct," said Collins.
When asked why there was a type of negative news tone to the information that was released to the public, Collins said he was not sure as to what was going on there.
"There are no games being played here, not on my part anyway," he said. "I'm just looking out for our members. We operate an electrical grid system already. If you're coming to Saskatchewan to make power, we have the expertise to assist you. If someone wants to operate it, maybe you'd want our guys, well trained, upgraded skills and tested.
If our union has the opportunity, I want to tell our union members they are in the mix. Heck, we've been discussing this for over two years now. I've never hidden that fact. We all knew discussions were going toward such a deal. I've talked with The Mercury and other news organizations about this," Collins added.
"I don't mind getting hammered if I make a mistake, but I haven't hidden anything here like that news story suggested. The membership knows we've been talking about this for years, including all the coal options. We've been talking with the United Mine Workers too ... long before this letter was signed. We're not selling the farm or backing away from coal fueled power generating plants," Collins said.
The IBEW business manager said that instead of looking for a conspiracy scenario, perhaps people should be looking on the bright side of resource development in the province.
"Look at all the forms of power generation we have already. We can do small or large projects, but we know that in the future there will be a huge demand. If oil and potash keep moving forward, they'll require power. It's a supply and demand world and if the supply side becomes limited then we'll have rolling brownouts and stalled building projects. That's why we'll always need the coal and we'll have to build on coal. Demands will double in no time. Electricity can be used as a commodity itself. Sell it."
Collins said that since Bruce Power is a private company, they will operate differently than a Crown corporation like SaskPower. They'll be looking at best value for the dollars invested and "I want my membership to have an opportunity to speak up if a private company comes here to make power and to sell it. I just figure that all the smart people will continue to look at all kinds of options. We're already blessed with what we have.
"I hate it when we sell ourselves short because we choose to be negative with anything that might be new or different from what we've had. We can compete with anyone on this globe. We just have to get on with it. We have the technology, the intellectual firepower, the knowledge from the past. Look at the PhD crowd we could attract here to tie into this mix, if we'd only just look at all our assets and get moving. We don't need to be constantly negative, we should be excited about the prospects. Let's ship our clean coal technology around the world, let's be cutting edge with clean coal," Collins said in conclusion.
The provincial government has just released information with regards to the panel that will be formed to conduct a series of hearings throughout the province that will ask Saskatchewan's citizens to respond to the concept of a nuclear power generating plant within its boundaries. The series will take the committee, headed by Dan Perrins, to nine centres within the next few weeks with one of those stops being Estevan.
Contrary to what appeared in an April 9 press release from the CBC, stating that a deal between a union and Bruce Power was being crafted behind the scenes, the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2067 said it just isn't that way at all.
"There's no closed door, conspiracy thing going on at all," said Neil Collins. "That's not how I work, that's not how the IBEW works," he said.
In fact, he said the membership of the IBEW local that represents about 1,600 workers, has been kept abreast of unfolding scenarios surrounding the possibilities of nuclear power generation in Saskatchewan since talk about it irst began in earnest.
Bruce Power is considering construction of a nuclear power plant while IBEW Local 2067 represents employees at SaskPower's coal-fired power plants.
Copies of the agreement signed by Bruce Power president Duncan Hawthorne and Collins were sent to IBEW members a couple of weeks ago.
The letter of agreement notes that if a nuclear power plant(s) does eventually get a green light to produce up to 2,200 megawatts of electrical power in Saskatchewan, the IBEW will be the integral part of the operations and maintenance of the facility while not negatively impacting any of the existing generating facilties or their IBEW employees.
The union, in the letter, also agrees to work with Bruce Power on nuclear advocacy and development of a communications protocol with regards to nuclear power.
According to Collins, the discussions and their results have been made known to the IBEW membership all along.
If approval is gained for a nuclear plant, probably located somewhere between Lloydminster and Prince Albert near the Saskatchewan River, construction could begin as early as 2017 or 2018.
"I'm just looking after the interests of the union members, the future," said Collins. "If a nuclear plant is going to be built here, who would you like to have operating it? Do you want the local guys or someone from somewhere else? If it is going to be Local 2067, then it will involve extensive and intensive training for a few years."
Collins denied that he or anyone else is undermining the coal generating plants in the SaskPower system by climbing into an agreement with the nuclear front runner company.
"Coal is in the future. There is a 300 year supply of it around Estevan. Clean coal projects will move ahead. We can be a global leader with clean coal. If we develop nuclear, I would guess that as much as 70 per cent of it might be exported. They'd probably have to do that to make the nuclear argument," said Collins.
"I see Boundary Dam and Shand being retrofitted for clean coal once it's proven. We can advance that technology with the Boundary Dam Unit 3 retrofit and there would be nothing stopping Saskatchewan from building the first greenfield clean coal power plant. So for anyone to suggest that I, or anyone in the union is talking about coal being on the way out, it's just not correct," said Collins.
When asked why there was a type of negative news tone to the information that was released to the public, Collins said he was not sure as to what was going on there.
"There are no games being played here, not on my part anyway," he said. "I'm just looking out for our members. We operate an electrical grid system already. If you're coming to Saskatchewan to make power, we have the expertise to assist you. If someone wants to operate it, maybe you'd want our guys, well trained, upgraded skills and tested.
If our union has the opportunity, I want to tell our union members they are in the mix. Heck, we've been discussing this for over two years now. I've never hidden that fact. We all knew discussions were going toward such a deal. I've talked with The Mercury and other news organizations about this," Collins added.
"I don't mind getting hammered if I make a mistake, but I haven't hidden anything here like that news story suggested. The membership knows we've been talking about this for years, including all the coal options. We've been talking with the United Mine Workers too ... long before this letter was signed. We're not selling the farm or backing away from coal fueled power generating plants," Collins said.
The IBEW business manager said that instead of looking for a conspiracy scenario, perhaps people should be looking on the bright side of resource development in the province.
"Look at all the forms of power generation we have already. We can do small or large projects, but we know that in the future there will be a huge demand. If oil and potash keep moving forward, they'll require power. It's a supply and demand world and if the supply side becomes limited then we'll have rolling brownouts and stalled building projects. That's why we'll always need the coal and we'll have to build on coal. Demands will double in no time. Electricity can be used as a commodity itself. Sell it."
Collins said that since Bruce Power is a private company, they will operate differently than a Crown corporation like SaskPower. They'll be looking at best value for the dollars invested and "I want my membership to have an opportunity to speak up if a private company comes here to make power and to sell it. I just figure that all the smart people will continue to look at all kinds of options. We're already blessed with what we have.
"I hate it when we sell ourselves short because we choose to be negative with anything that might be new or different from what we've had. We can compete with anyone on this globe. We just have to get on with it. We have the technology, the intellectual firepower, the knowledge from the past. Look at the PhD crowd we could attract here to tie into this mix, if we'd only just look at all our assets and get moving. We don't need to be constantly negative, we should be excited about the prospects. Let's ship our clean coal technology around the world, let's be cutting edge with clean coal," Collins said in conclusion.
The provincial government has just released information with regards to the panel that will be formed to conduct a series of hearings throughout the province that will ask Saskatchewan's citizens to respond to the concept of a nuclear power generating plant within its boundaries. The series will take the committee, headed by Dan Perrins, to nine centres within the next few weeks with one of those stops being Estevan.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
I.B.E.W. Local 2067 supports nuclear and other future electricity generation options.
For Immediate Release
REGINA Apr 9th – I.B.E.W. Local 2067 has signed a letter of agreement with Bruce Power in support of the further development of the nuclear option in Saskatchewan. The agreement was delivered to the I.B.E.W. Local 2067 membership, along with other information, on April 3, 2009.
“This is an opportunity for our Local to expand on our expertise as the biggest union in the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity in the province of Saskatchewan,” said Neil Collins, I.B.E.W. Local 2067 Business Manager & Financial Secretary. “We look forward to continuing to work with Bruce Power and with our membership as the development of nuclear power continues in Saskatchewan.”
In addition to nuclear power, I.B.E.W. Local 2067 also continues to support the development of other forms of generation supply.
“We have been active supporters of the development of clean coal in the province, and that support remains,” Collins said. “We support the Government of Saskatchewan’s view that a diverse generation mix is in Saskatchewan’s best interests.”
I.B.E.W. Local 2067 members currently work at all of SaskPower’s power stations, which include coal, wind, natural gas and hydro generation.
“As Saskatchewan continues to grow and prosper so will our need for clean electricity,” Collins added.
A copy of the letter sent to the Union membership is attached.
For additional information contact:
Neil Collins
Business Manager & Financial Secretary
I.B.E.W. Local 2067
(306) 352-1433
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067 has 1690 members throughout Saskatchewan. Our Local Union represents electrical workers in the operating, maintenance & line staff with SaskPower, mine operating and maintenance staff with Sherritt Coal in Coronach at the Poplar River Mine and electrical workers with the City of Swift Current Light and Power.
IBEW Local 2067 Encouraged by Bruce Power Feasibility Study Findings
REGINA Apr 9th – I.B.E.W. Local 2067 has signed a letter of agreement with Bruce Power in support of the further development of the nuclear option in Saskatchewan. The agreement was delivered to the I.B.E.W. Local 2067 membership, along with other information, on April 3, 2009.
“This is an opportunity for our Local to expand on our expertise as the biggest union in the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity in the province of Saskatchewan,” said Neil Collins, I.B.E.W. Local 2067 Business Manager & Financial Secretary. “We look forward to continuing to work with Bruce Power and with our membership as the development of nuclear power continues in Saskatchewan.”
In addition to nuclear power, I.B.E.W. Local 2067 also continues to support the development of other forms of generation supply.
“We have been active supporters of the development of clean coal in the province, and that support remains,” Collins said. “We support the Government of Saskatchewan’s view that a diverse generation mix is in Saskatchewan’s best interests.”
I.B.E.W. Local 2067 members currently work at all of SaskPower’s power stations, which include coal, wind, natural gas and hydro generation.
“As Saskatchewan continues to grow and prosper so will our need for clean electricity,” Collins added.
A copy of the letter sent to the Union membership is attached.
For additional information contact:
Neil Collins
Business Manager & Financial Secretary
I.B.E.W. Local 2067
(306) 352-1433
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2067 has 1690 members throughout Saskatchewan. Our Local Union represents electrical workers in the operating, maintenance & line staff with SaskPower, mine operating and maintenance staff with Sherritt Coal in Coronach at the Poplar River Mine and electrical workers with the City of Swift Current Light and Power.
IBEW Local 2067 Encouraged by Bruce Power Feasibility Study Findings
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Ontario court says RCMP officers entitled to a union
The existing RCMP Act 'interferes with the freedom of members of the RCMP to engage in collective bargaining.' - Justice Ian MacDonnell.
Toronto (8 April 2009) - Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have the right to form a union, an Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled in what may become a landmark decision for labour rights in Canada.
In a ruling this week, Justice Ian MacDonnell struck down a section of the RCMP Act that precludes unionization on grounds that it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He gave the federal government 18 months to alter existing legislation and bring its practices into conformity with his ruling.
Read More HERE
Toronto (8 April 2009) - Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have the right to form a union, an Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled in what may become a landmark decision for labour rights in Canada.
In a ruling this week, Justice Ian MacDonnell struck down a section of the RCMP Act that precludes unionization on grounds that it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He gave the federal government 18 months to alter existing legislation and bring its practices into conformity with his ruling.
Read More HERE
Sunday, March 29, 2009
SaskPower's largest investment in its grid to date.
By Cassandra Kyle, Saskatchewan News Network; Canwest News Service March 21, 2009
Gov't pledges $950M
The provincial government will spend more than $950 million this year to upgrade Saskatchewan's electrical system -- SaskPower's largest investment in its grid to date.
Standing in Saskatoon's 50-year-old Queen Elizabeth Power Station, Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said Friday the spending is needed to provide a growing population with power, ensure businesses have the electricity they need to operate, and upgrade an "infrastructure deficit" left by the previous NDP government. Of the $954 million set to be spent this year, nearly $400 million will go to new-generation projects.
NDP responds
NDP wants to know how rates affected
Gov't pledges $950M
The provincial government will spend more than $950 million this year to upgrade Saskatchewan's electrical system -- SaskPower's largest investment in its grid to date.
Standing in Saskatoon's 50-year-old Queen Elizabeth Power Station, Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said Friday the spending is needed to provide a growing population with power, ensure businesses have the electricity they need to operate, and upgrade an "infrastructure deficit" left by the previous NDP government. Of the $954 million set to be spent this year, nearly $400 million will go to new-generation projects.
NDP responds
NDP wants to know how rates affected
Saturday, March 7, 2009
But some commentators (Richard Wolffe of Newsweek, Chuck Todd of NBC News, etc.) have likened this to "what Republicans tried to do to the Democrats with Michael Moore." Perhaps. But there is one central difference: What I have believed in, and what I have stood for in these past eight years - an end to the war, establishing universal health care, closing Guantanamo and banning torture, making the rich pay more taxes and aggressively going after the corporate chiefs on Wall Street - these are all things which the majority of Americans believe in too. That's why in November the majority voted for the guy I voted for. The majority of Americans rejected the ideology of Rush and embraced the same issues I have raised consistently in my movies and books.
In the midst of the craziness, conservatives are busy trying to blame this epic economic catastrophe — a conflagration of their own making — on the new president. Forget Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush and George Herbert Hoover Bush and the Heritage Foundation and the Club for Growth and Phil Gramm and Newt Gingrich and all the rest. The right-wingers would have you believe this is Obama’s downturn.
Miracles Take Time
Miracles Take Time
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Emissions project started
By Bruce Johnstone, Leader-PostMarch 4, 2009
The first phase of a $200-million project to produce activated carbon to reduce mercury emissions at coal-fired generating stations is underway at Bienfait, east of Estevan.
Sherritt International Corp. and Norit Canada Inc. are building the first of four 15,000-ton activated carbon units, which is expected to be in operation by February 2010.
"It's a good environmental product,'' said Kevin Mueller, vice-president of mining operations for Sherritt Coal in Edmonton. "It's going to pull mercury out of flue gases (from coal-fired generating stations). And we're doing it in Bienfait, Sask.''
Mueller said the plant will be the first activated carbon plant in Canada, but similar to one being built by Norit in Marshall, Texas, which is in the commissioning phase. "It's definitely the first of its kind in Canada,'' Mueller said.
Mercury is a neurotoxin, which is particularly damaging to the development of the fetus and young children, and is considered an extremely dangerous contaminant of air and water.
READ MORE
The first phase of a $200-million project to produce activated carbon to reduce mercury emissions at coal-fired generating stations is underway at Bienfait, east of Estevan.
Sherritt International Corp. and Norit Canada Inc. are building the first of four 15,000-ton activated carbon units, which is expected to be in operation by February 2010.
"It's a good environmental product,'' said Kevin Mueller, vice-president of mining operations for Sherritt Coal in Edmonton. "It's going to pull mercury out of flue gases (from coal-fired generating stations). And we're doing it in Bienfait, Sask.''
Mueller said the plant will be the first activated carbon plant in Canada, but similar to one being built by Norit in Marshall, Texas, which is in the commissioning phase. "It's definitely the first of its kind in Canada,'' Mueller said.
Mercury is a neurotoxin, which is particularly damaging to the development of the fetus and young children, and is considered an extremely dangerous contaminant of air and water.
READ MORE
Saskatchewan a jobs 'hot spot' in Canada
By Mallory Simon CNN
(CNN) -- Normally, "hot spot" isn't the first phrase that comes to mind when talking about Saskatchewan, Canada.
But with most of Canada suffering from devastating job losses, this cold province is becoming exactly that.
It's an asterisk to the entire country when it comes to the economic climate, and Premier Brad Wall is shouting it as loud as he can.
"It's a great time to come to Saskatchewan," said Wall, who even called the Toronto Star newspaper to tout his province's economic success and let Ontarians know there were jobs for the taking.
"For those who are losing their jobs, we need them to know we have thousands of jobs open right now in both the private and public sector," Wall said. "We have a powerful story to tell, a story of success and that's something we want to share with those who are struggling."
Wall's province is one of the exceptions to the unemployment increases battering provinces across Canada. Saskatchewan's unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent in January from 4.2 percent in December, making it the only province recording a decline. In Ontario and the city of Toronto, unemployment rates rose to 7.2 percent and 8.5 percent respectively. To the west, British Columbia shed 68,000 full-time jobs in January.
READ MORE
(CNN) -- Normally, "hot spot" isn't the first phrase that comes to mind when talking about Saskatchewan, Canada.
But with most of Canada suffering from devastating job losses, this cold province is becoming exactly that.
It's an asterisk to the entire country when it comes to the economic climate, and Premier Brad Wall is shouting it as loud as he can.
"It's a great time to come to Saskatchewan," said Wall, who even called the Toronto Star newspaper to tout his province's economic success and let Ontarians know there were jobs for the taking.
"For those who are losing their jobs, we need them to know we have thousands of jobs open right now in both the private and public sector," Wall said. "We have a powerful story to tell, a story of success and that's something we want to share with those who are struggling."
Wall's province is one of the exceptions to the unemployment increases battering provinces across Canada. Saskatchewan's unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent in January from 4.2 percent in December, making it the only province recording a decline. In Ontario and the city of Toronto, unemployment rates rose to 7.2 percent and 8.5 percent respectively. To the west, British Columbia shed 68,000 full-time jobs in January.
READ MORE
Who You Calling Socialist?
"We are all socialists now," proclaims Newsweek. We are creating "socialist republics" in the United States, says Mike Huckabee, adding, on reflection, that "Lenin and Stalin would love this stuff." We are witnessing the Obama-era phenomenon of "European socialism transplanted to Washington," says Newt Gingrich.
Well! Even as we all turn red, I've still encountered just two avowed democratic socialists in my daily rounds through the nation's capital: Vermont's Sen. Bernie Sanders . . . and the guy I see in the mirror when I shave. Bernie is quite capable of speaking for himself, so what follows is a report on the state of actual existing socialism from the other half of the D.C. Senators and Columnists Soviet.
First, as we survey the political landscape, what's striking is the absence of advocates of socialism, at least as the term was understood by those who carried that banner during the capitalist crisis of the 1930s. Then, socialists and communists both spoke of nationalizing all major industries and abolishing private markets and the wage system. Today, it's impossible to find a left-leaning party anywhere that has such demands or entertains such fantasies. (Not even Hugo Chávez - more an authoritarian populist than any kind of socialist - says such things.)
Within the confines of socialist history, this means that the perspective of Eduard Bernstein - the fin de siecle German socialist who argued that the immediate struggle to humanize capitalism through the instruments of democratic government was everything, and that the goal of supplanting capitalism altogether was meaningless - has definitively prevailed. Within the confines of American history, this means that when New York's garment unions left the Socialist Party to endorse Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, they were charting the paradigmatic course for American socialists: into the Democratic Party to support not the abolition of capitalism but its regulation and democratization, and the creation of some areas of public life where the market does not rule.
(Photo: Wired.com)
Monday, March 2, 2009
"Cap and trade" climate change plan coming in spring session, gov't says
By James Wood, TheStarPhoenix.com
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Party government will move forward with a climate change plan similar to Alberta’s levy on polluters, even as a national cap and trade system appears a near certainty.
The government’s own timeline for its plan — with a centerpiece “technology fund” — is to be released before the end of the legislative session in May.
“We’ll have targets and for those industries and companies that are unable to meet them, they’d pay into the fund and then that money would be turned around. Part of it would go into research and development and the rest would go back to industry to help them actually install or implement the technologies to reduce their emissions,” Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said Thursday.
Read More from WOODS HERE
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Party government will move forward with a climate change plan similar to Alberta’s levy on polluters, even as a national cap and trade system appears a near certainty.
The government’s own timeline for its plan — with a centerpiece “technology fund” — is to be released before the end of the legislative session in May.
“We’ll have targets and for those industries and companies that are unable to meet them, they’d pay into the fund and then that money would be turned around. Part of it would go into research and development and the rest would go back to industry to help them actually install or implement the technologies to reduce their emissions,” Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said Thursday.
Read More from WOODS HERE
Clean Coal Project Just Got A Little Bit Closer
By Norm Park of The Mercury
And then there were three.
The clean coal project at Boundary Dam's No. 3 unit took another major step toward becoming a reality last Friday afternoon when SaskPower announced that they now had a short list of three companies that were being invited to provide proposals to capture carbon dioxide at Boundary Dam Power Station.
Doug Daverne, manager of the SaskPower clean coal project, said the focus is now on upgrading Unit No. 3, a 100 megawatt power generating unit at Boundary, to modern standards while reducing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, without causing an increase in power rates to the provincial customers.
The companies that have been selected to continue to a next stage of evaluation are Powerspan Corp. of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Cansolve Technologies Inc. of Montreal and Fluor Canada Ltd., with a Canadian headquarters in Calgary.
Daverne said SaskPower's original call for proposals for the large CO2 capture project went out to 15 companies and five ultimately submitted proposals before the end of 2008.
Read More From Norm Park HERE
And then there were three.
The clean coal project at Boundary Dam's No. 3 unit took another major step toward becoming a reality last Friday afternoon when SaskPower announced that they now had a short list of three companies that were being invited to provide proposals to capture carbon dioxide at Boundary Dam Power Station.
Doug Daverne, manager of the SaskPower clean coal project, said the focus is now on upgrading Unit No. 3, a 100 megawatt power generating unit at Boundary, to modern standards while reducing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, without causing an increase in power rates to the provincial customers.
The companies that have been selected to continue to a next stage of evaluation are Powerspan Corp. of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Cansolve Technologies Inc. of Montreal and Fluor Canada Ltd., with a Canadian headquarters in Calgary.
Daverne said SaskPower's original call for proposals for the large CO2 capture project went out to 15 companies and five ultimately submitted proposals before the end of 2008.
Read More From Norm Park HERE
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