Alberta's Big Day Today - More Energy Council Results - Sara Palin Woos Canada - Chenault In-state Gasline Bill Moves - Palin Supporters Pan White House Gas Pipeline Support

Calgary Herald by Shaun Polczer. Get ready, because today's going to be a Big Day for oil and gas types in Alberta. In fact, the next 48 hours promise to be a barnburner that's going to set the tone for the next decade or so as far as the importance of petroleum in this province.  Around 3 PM MST we're going to get the goods on the latest Alberta land sale, where an area the size the Netherlands is up for bid. Speculation is rampant that EnCana, Shell, Esso or all of the above are going to be blowing their brains out over a potential new shale play. Add to that to the Pembina Cardium, the Nikinassan, or any other old rock zone that's been made new again with horizontal multi stage drilling and you've got a story in the making.

Juneau.  The House Resources Committee this evening passed their committee substitute for House Bill 369, House Speaker Mike Chenault's, R-Nikiski, proposal creating the Joint In-State Gasline Development Team.  "I'm grateful for the work put in on the bill, and look forward to seeing it work its way through the process. We heard from committee members, and we all agreed that it's time to focus on bringing forward an in-state line that serves all areas of the state. It was my intent to see the state unify the various agencies and assets at our disposal, and the substitute kept the emphasis in the legislation on that."

 
Fairbanks News Miner. House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen says he left last week's Energy Council meeting surprised to learn about the potential impact that shale gas development in the Lower 48 could have on a major line here.  These aren't new concerns; Gov. Sean Parnell (NGP Photo, at Iditarod Banquet last week) took aim at the gas line "pessimists" in his State of the State Address in January.  (See our Monday story.)

McLean's by Colby Cosh.  I’m in the sumptuous Palomino Room at Calgary’s BMO Centre, waiting with an audience of about one thousand to witness Sarah Palin’s (NGP Photo) first live address outside the United States, depending on which media personage in the back row you ask. ... She talks about bringing TransCanada Pipelines in on the Alaska Gas Line project… as part of her goal of helping establish “energy independence” for the United States. 

Sarah Palin Promotional Webpage downplays White House support for Alaska gas pipeline.