Feb. 16, 2022

Professor published in Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law

Professor Emeritus Al Lucas' article explores the ‘carbon energy overhang’ that impedes the transition to a low-carbon economy.

"Canada’s carbon energy overhang" begins by investigating how this carbon energy overhang happened. This requires a close look at Canada’s founding, its constitutional framework, and the broad evolution of its national and regional economies – particularly the oil and gas sector. Although this is not a comparative law piece, some US comparisons are inevitable given the North American context. Next, the article shifts its focus to legal and policy initiatives that are being taken, particularly at the federal level, to trim the carbon energy overhang, buoyed by national public attitudinal shifts. The article also explores the two elephants in the room, namely the Alberta oil sands and the electricity grids interconnection problem.

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