Sunday, Post Church Service Commentary:

Charles Stanley, Photo by Dave Harbour, first baptist church of AtlantaDr. Charles Stanley (www.intouch.org, NGP Photo) gently reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we reap, "what we sow, more than we sow and later than we sow."  We include this reference not to suggest that decision makers are bad or good people, but to emphasize the principle that actions have consequences.

Today's posting is for the benefit of Alaskan and Canadian decision makers who have said, "This is where the oil is; a tax or regulatory increase won't stop those oil companies.  They have to do business with us.  Where else are they going to go?"  

The answer is that investors have a number of alternatives for using their money productively.  They are prudent.  They are decisive.  To them, government support or opposition counts.  

Below, is a relatively small but — to the greater Norman Wells area — highly significant way in which an Aboriginally controlled government decision process has adversely affected economic strength, jobs and opportunities in their region.  

Contrast this with the gas sale agreement decision announced in Inuvik a few days ago.

-dh


CBC News.  Husky Energy has withdrawn its application to horizontally drill and frack up to four wells in the Sahtu region of the N.W.T.

In a short note to the Sahtu Land and Water Board, the company said it has decided to postpone drilling for two years. It had intended to start drilling this coming winter.

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Gregor Harold McGregor, mayor of Norman Wells, N.W.T., says Husky's decision to withdraw its fracking application isn't good news for the region's economy. (CBC)

The decision is a disappointment for businesses in the region that were hoping to capitalize on the project.

"I'm in a state of shock at the moment," said Gregor McGregor, mayor of Norman Wells.

"I wasn't expecting it. It sure isn't good news for the area, for the region. The economy here is very fragile, I've said that many times. I guess we're about to find out just how fragile it is."

Husky's decision comes a week after the Sahtu Land and Water Board delayed making a decision on the project. The board wanted more information about the project.

Earlier this year, ConocoPhillips — the other big energy player in the region — announced it will not be drilling in the region next winter.