Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

THE NORTH AMERICAN GRID

taylor — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 13:52:31 +0000

THE NORTH AMERICAN GRID taylor Mon, 06/17/2024 - 10:52

THE NORTH AMERICAN GRID

This report, prepared by the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), discusses the North American Grid and how Canada, the US, and Mexico are deeply impacted by electricity infrastructure changes over the last several years and each country needs to maintain reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity systems.
This report also highlights the CEA's dedication to promoting cooperation in the face of climate change for a more sustainable energy future in North America, which can only be achieved through innovative clean technology, energy efficiency, and renewable integration

Citation

"The North American Grid: Powering Cooperation on Clean Energy & the Environment." Canadian Electricity Association, 2016. https://www.electricity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CEA_16-086_The_North_American_E_WEB.pdf

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Policy Pronouncement

Canada-US Energy Cooperation

katherine — Mon, 27 May 2024 15:08:30 +0000

Canada-US Energy Cooperation katherine Mon, 05/27/2024 - 12:08

Canada-US Energy Cooperation

As part of the several commitments made in the Roadmap for a Renewed US-Canada Partnership, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and the United States' Secretary of Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on energy cooperation in June 2021.
The MOU helps enhance cooperation on sustainable and equitable energy transitions, clean energy innovation, connectivity and low-carbon transportation.
Specifically, this MOU expresses commitments to creating and upgrading energy efficiency standards, to accelerating adoption of zero-emission and low emission vehicles, to improving access to sustainable and affordable energy for remote and Indigenous communities, and to enhancing collaboration in areas of carbon capture, utilization and storage and carbon dioxide removal.
The MOU also serves to help Canada achieve commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050 and affirms the shared Canada-US commitment to clean energy transition.

Citation

Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the Department of Energy of the United States of America Concerning Cooperation on Energy. 2021. https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/resources/international-energy-cooperation/memorandum-understanding/23749

Further Readings

For the news release of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding: https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2021/06/canada-strengthens-energy-partnership-with-the-united-states.html

For a May 2022 update by the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, on the efforts to strengthen the energy and resource partnership with the United States (including strengthening the Canada-US Critical Minerals Action Plan, and accelerating the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021): https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2022/05/minister-wilkinson-strengthens-energy-and-resource-partnerships-with-the-united-states.html

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Memorandum of Understanding

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 18:17:35 +0000

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:17

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

Canada and the United States partner through the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to ensure safety, security (physical and cyber), and reliability of the shared electricity grid.
The NERC formally began in 2006 and is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority that oversees the interconnected power systems of Canada and the United States, along with a portion of the Baja California Mexican State.
The NERC's mission "is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid."

Citation

"About NERC." NERC: North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Accessed on May 19, 2022. https://www.nerc.com/AboutNERC/Pages/default.aspx

Further Readings

For the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between the National Energy Board and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation: https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/about/acts-regulations/other-acts/cooperative-agreements/memorandum-understanding-between-national-energy-board-north-american-electric-reliability-corporation.pdf

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Info Note

Nuclear Safety Commission

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 18:14:15 +0000

Nuclear Safety Commission katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:14

Nuclear Safety Commission

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's (CNSC) mandate is to help implement Canada's and the international community's commitments to the safe and peaceful use of nuclear materials/technology.
The following resource identifies the types of international instruments used to conduct nuclear agreements along with the types of agreements Canada has made with other countries.
The United States and Canada have agreed upon various matters over the last number of years regarding the trading of nuclear materials/equipment/technology, safety measures, non-proliferation, cooperation agreements, memorandums of understanding, etc.

Citation

Canada. Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. International Agreements. 2021. https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/resources/international-cooperation/international-agreements.cfm?pedisable=true#United_States

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Agreement

Keystone XL Pipeline

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 18:06:41 +0000

Keystone XL Pipeline katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:06

Keystone XL Pipeline

The Keystone XL pipeline was a highly disputed pipeline project that was meant to carry oil from the Canadian province of Alberta to the American state of Nebraska where it would join the existing Keystone Pipeline network.
In March 2010, the Canadian National Energy Board (NEB) approved the pipeline, which was owned by Trans Canada Corp., but ever since, the pipeline project became a contentious subject between the Canada-US political and economic relationship.
After TransCanada was told by the US State Department to reroute the pipeline, the project was still rejected by former US President Barack Obama in 2012.
The pipeline was supported by President Trump, but once again opposed by President Biden.
The project also received extensive opposition from environmental groups and Indigenous peoples in both Canada and the United States.
Ultimately, in June 2021, TransCanada (TC) Energy, after consultation with the Government of Alberta, terminated the project with about $1 billion profit lost.
This publication gives a background of the Keystone XL pipeline along with the documents explaining the NEB decision to approve the pipeline and further reports and audits made about the project.

Citation

Canada. Canada Energy Regulator. Project Background. 2021. https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/applications-hearings/view-applications-projects/keystone-xl/project-background.html

Further Readings

For more information about the Keystone Pipeline: https://www.keystonexl.com/ & https://www.alberta.ca/keystone-xl-pipeline-project.aspx & https://www.nrdc.org/stories/what-keystone-pipeline & https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/applications-hearings/view-applications-projects/keystone-xl/index.html

For the Jan 2012 US Senate Bill approving a bill to build the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would later be vetoed by Obama: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRPT-114srpt1/html/CRPT-114srpt1.htm

For the Original Keystone XL Pipeline Proposal from TransCanada and ConocoPhillips: https://docs2.cer-rec.gc.ca/ll-eng/llisapi.dll/fetch/2000/90464/90552/418396/550305/523332/540851/543838/A1I3D3_-_Proposed_Keystone_XL_Pipeline_Project.pdf?nodeid=544006&vernum=-2

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Briefing Note

Uranium Exports to the U.S.

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 18:04:25 +0000

Uranium Exports to the U.S. katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:04

Uranium Exports to the U.S.

Canada is one of the largest producers of uranium in the world, with the majority being exported outside of Canada.
Canada exports the majority of its uranium to the United States, and Canada imports 1/4 of the uranium needs to the U.S., which fuels American nuclear power plants.
Canada has been a reliable partner in uranium exports for over 75 years.

Citation

Canada. Natural Resources Canada. About Uranium. 2020. https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/energy-sources-distribution/uranium-nuclear-energy/uranium-canada/about-uranium/7695

Overlapping Topics

Environment

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Info Note

Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 18:02:38 +0000

Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:02

Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration

In January 2020, Canada and the United States announced the finalization of their Canada-US Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration.
This announcement comes from the promise made by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump made back in 2019 and helps to advance both countries mutual interest in securing supply chain for critical minerals needed for manufacturing sectors like communication technology, aerospace and defence, and clean technology.
This plan also increases information sharing and lays out methodology for working with the private sector and other countries.
Canada supplies 14/35 critical minerals to the United States and may one day supply many more.

Citation

Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Canada and U.S. Finalize Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration. [Ottawa, Ontario], 2020. https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2020/01/canada-and-us-finalize-joint-action-plan-on-critical-minerals-collaboration.html

Further Readings

For more information on the Joint Canada-US Action Plan on Critical Minerals Supplies: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/joint-action-plan-critical-minerals-supplies-securing-critical-minerals-canada-and-united& https://ca.usembassy.gov/united-states-and-canada-forge-ahead-on-critical-minerals-cooperation/ & http://saskmining.ca/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Plenary%20Session%201%20Update%20on%20Canada-US%20Action%20Plan%20(Hilary%20Morgan).pdf

For information on the third US-Canada Critical Minerals Working Group Meeting on July 28, 2021: https://www.state.gov/united-states-and-canada-forge-ahead-on-critical-minerals-cooperation/

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Press Release

Energy Resource Governance Initiative

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 17:59:48 +0000

Energy Resource Governance Initiative katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 14:59

Energy Resource Governance Initiative

Canada is a founding partner of the US-led Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI), which is a multinational approach to best practices for handling the key energy minerals that are fundamental in the forthcoming global energy transformation.
Since Canada and the United States are both interested in improving global supply chains for critical minerals, they joined this initiative in 2019.
This initiative also complements the Canada-US Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration along with the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to promote natural resource use in a sustainable way to maximize economic growth while ensuring environmental considerations are at the forefront.

Citation

Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Canada Joins the Energy Resource Governance Initiative. [Ottawa, Ontario], 2019. https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2019/12/canada-joins-the-energy-resource-governance-initiative.html

Further Readings

For more information about ERGI: https://ergi.tools/ & https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Energy-Resource-Governance-Initiative-ERGI-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Press Release

Northern Pipeline Act

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 17:58:24 +0000

Northern Pipeline Act katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 14:58

Northern Pipeline Act

Based on the vast oil reserves discovered in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Canada and the US inquired into the environmental/socio-economic impacts of a potential pipeline project that would transport oil in the north to southern markets.
In 1977, an inquiry led by Kenneth Lysyk approved the pipeline on the condition of having regulatory oversight and mitigative measures.
The Northern Pipeline Act was originally passed in 1978 to help facilitate the planning and construction of the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline that would transport natural gas from Alaska to the lower 48 U.S. states through Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, making it a transboundary matter.

Citation

Northern Pipeline Act, Statutes of Canada 1985, c. N-26. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/N-26/page-1.html#h-366170

Further Readings

For more information on the Northern Pipeline Agency (who is responsible for the affairs of the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline in Canada): https://www.canada.ca/en/northern-pipeline-agency.html

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Legislation

Canada Electric Grid Security and Resilience Strategy

katherine — Wed, 15 May 2024 17:51:41 +0000

Canada Electric Grid Security and Resilience Strategy katherine Wed, 05/15/2024 - 14:51

Canada Electric Grid Security and Resilience Strategy

Canada and the United States have one of the most integrated electric grids in the world with 37 major transmission lines that connect the two countries that helps offer reliable, secure, and affordable electricity on citizens residing in both countries.
The Joint United States-Canada Electric Grid Security and Resilience Strategy is a collaboration between the Government of the United States and the Government of Canada to strengthen the security and resiliency of the shared electric grid between the two countries.

Citation

Canada. Natural Resources Canada. Joint United States-Canada Electric Grid Security and Resilience Strategy. 2016. https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/energy/pdf/JOINT%20GRID%20SECURITY%20AND%20RESILIENCE-Strategy_en.pdf

Further Readings

For more information on the shared power grid between Canada & the US: https://www.c2es.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/canada-interconnected.pdf

Overlapping Topics

Energy and Natural Resources

Policy Sub-Topic

Energy and Natural Resources (Canada-U.S. Relations)

Policy Type

Policy Strategy