David Yager to chair Alberta premier’s advisory council on energy future, report in June

By Brian Zinchuk

EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has appointed a five-member panel “to map out Alberta’s energy future.”

The premier has taken a critical view of the “energy transition,” and its impact on Canada’s energy industry, which is principally based in Alberta.

A new advisory panel will develop a long-term vision for Alberta’s energy future and recommend steps the province should take to ensure the industry continues to thrive for decades to come, according to the Feb. 16 release.

The group will be known as the “Premier’s Advisory Council on Alberta’s Energy Future.”

David Yager, left, speaking to former CAPP president and CEO Tim McMillan, centre, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show. Photo by Brian Zinchuk

It will be chaired by David Yager, an executive and writer with more than four decades of experience and expertise in the energy industry. Yager’s opinion columns have been a regular feature of Pipeline Online since its inception.

He will be joined by Hal Kvisle, who was president and CEO of TransCanada Corporation from 2001 to 2010.

Carey Arnett is president of A&B Pipeliners, one of Canada’s longest-operating pipeline contractors.

Bob Curran, who spent 20 as VP of communications with the EUB and AER years as director with the Alberta Energy Regulator, and currently consults with the Canada Energy Regulator.

Phil Hodge is president and CEO of Pine Cliff Energy.

Yager was chosen by the premier. The panelists were chosen by Yager.

Smith said in a release, “I’m excited to bring together these skilled and experienced energy experts to help us plot a path forward for Alberta’s energy sector. We all know the world needs long-term energy solutions that are responsible, reliable and affordable. Now is the perfect time to create a panel of experts to look ahead to the future of our energy sector and how we can meet global energy needs in the years ahead.”

The advisory panel will engage with relevant ministries including, but not limited to, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas, the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction to ensure collaboration across government, in consultation with industry stakeholders. The panel will conduct research, gather input from experts, prepare analysis and generate recommendations in consultation with relevant ministries.

Yager said in a release, “I’m proud to lead this talented and dedicated group of leaders as, together, we develop a vision for the province’s energy future. Industry leaders are already commercializing innovative emissions-reduction technologies and leading the way in tackling the world’s biggest energy challenges. Our task will be to lay out clear recommendations that ensure this work is supported and continues well into the future.”

Asked by Pipeline Online on Feb. 17 what the panel would be looking at, Yager’s answer was simple: “Everything.”

He added “The premier has a strong interest in decarbonization and the energy transition.”

Yager’s writings, for Energy Now, the Canadian Energy Centre, and Pipeline Online in recent years have been unapologetically in favour of continued oil and gas development and exploration, and critical of those who assail the industry and its importance.

His bio on Pipeline Online reads:

David Yager is, bar none, one of the best writers in the Canadian oilpatch, going back to his days as co-owner, publisher and editor of The Roughneck Magazine from 1979 to 1992. Since then he’s been a senior officer, director and founder of Tesco Corporation, Integrated Production Services Ltd. and HSE Integrated Ltd. He spent four years as national leader oilfield services for accounting, tax and consulting firm MNP LLP. These days he’s president and CEO of Winterhawk Casing Expansion Services, developer of a new wellbore methane leak shutoff tool. In 2009/2010, he was chairman of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC). Oh yeah, and he started on drilling rigs swinging tongs in the early 1970s.
His analysis delves deep into the meaningful issues facing the energy industry. These are not short soundbites, folks, but well-reasoned, full meat-and-potatoes pieces that get to the bottom of the issues.

Yager has also tried his hand at politics, and was president of Alberta’s Wildrose Party from 2012 to 2014 and an MLA candidate in 2012.

His 2019 book, From Miracle to Menace – Alberta, A Carbon Story, explains how Alberta’s massive oil and gas industry came to be, the enormity of the planned financial dislocation, and how Alberta, and Canada, can meet the climate challenge without committing economic suicide. Yager’s writings are also carried by EnergyNow.ca, Business in Calgary, the CBC and Canadian Energy Center. Yager’s current content is provided by the Canadian Energy Centre.

However, it is unlikely he will continue writing while in this position.

A final report from the council will be completed by June 30. Alberta has a fixed election date, and the next Provincial General Election is scheduled to be held on May 29, 2023.