Western Energy Corridor Executive Summary

WESTERN ENERGYCORRID R

We s t e r n E n e r g y C o r r i d o r Executive SummaryT he energy resources con- In 2009, WEC oil production was Coal production within the WEC 6LJQLÀFDQW TXDQWLWLHV RI XUDQLXP centrated along the Rocky approximately 2.3 million barrels was approximately 620 million found in the WEC supply a number Mountains and northern per day, with continued produc- short tons (~560 million metric of nuclear power plants interna-plains in Canada and the United tion growth anticipated from the tons) with approximately 15 billion tionally. Saskatchewan currentlyStates (U.S.) are world class, Alberta oil sands and the Bakken short tons (14 billion metric tons) dominates uranium production andas measured by their diversity, Formation. Proven reserves, domi- in recoverable reserves from active hosts the largest uranium mine inmagnitude, and longevity. This nated by Alberta oil sands, cur- mines in 2009. WEC coal supplies the world. The province contrib-area, informally referred to as rently place the region third in the much of the electricity produc- uted 18% of world production inthe Western Energy Corridor world with approximately 170 bil- tion for Canada and the U.S., and 2009, and is complemented by lion barrels. Undeveloped potential the WEC hosts the largest coal- growing production south of the(WEC), is strategic to meeting oil resources within the WEC are producing area (the Powder River U.S.-Canada border.the increasing energy demand in estimated at over 4 trillion barrels Basin) in Canada and the U.S.Canada, the U.S., and interna- (in-place). This includes oil shale Although large amounts of WECtionally. These energy resources, reserves in the Green River Forma- The WEC also contains several raw energy resources are exported,collectively, also provide a tion that spans parts of Wyoming, large river systems, which host these resources also contribute tofoundation for regional economic Colorado, and Utah. a number of hydropower dams local electricity and transportationdevelopment, including a plat- within and outside the WEC. Brit- fuel production. In 2009, electric-form for moving the region’s en- Natural gas production in the WEC ish Columbia alone produced over ity generation within the WEC wasergy products up the value chain. was approximately 10.5 trillion cu- 62 GWh of hydropower in 2009. over 370 million MWh. Of this,To provide a foundation and bic feet (297 billion cubic meters) 6LJQLÀFDQW HOHFWULFDO JHQHUDWLRQ more than 70% came from fossilstimulus for a bi-national regional in 2009, which places the WEC potential remains untapped, espe- energy plants (primarily coal anddialogue, Idaho National Labora- third in natural gas production cially in the north. natural gas), approximately 24%tory (INL) created this document worldwide. Although conventional from hydropower, and approximate-with input from representatives of gas production is declining, new Other renewable energy resources, ly 4% from other renewables withparticipating states and provinces. techniques and technological ad- such as some of the greatest wind no contribution from nuclear energy.Further data was gathered from vances have enabled development and bioenergy potential in Canadareliable internet and print sources of unconventional gas resources and the U.S., are available, but Transportation fuels productionand compiled to provide an over- within the area (i.e., shale gas, remain mostly untapped in the in the WEC is primarily from oilview of energy resources within tight gas, and coal bed methane), WEC. Efforts are underway to UHÀQLQJ ZLWK VPDOO DPRXQWV RIthe WEC. increasing overall natural gas also develop geothermal and solar biofuels (i.e., biodiesel and etha- production. potential within the region. nol). Plans are underway to build

We s t e r n E n e r g y C o r r i d o r Executive Summarycoal-to-liquids (CTL) and liquid wildlife, and climate change. In ad- WEC states and provinces are criti-natural gas (LNG) plants. dition, energy resources are critical cal players in supplying the U.S. for developing other natural re- and Canada with energy resourcesEnergy delivery infrastructure is sources in the region such as water, this century and beyond. Givenrapidly expanding. Oil and gas minerals, agricultural, and fertil- the importance of these resourcespipelines are both planned and izer. Also, technological innovation there is an unprecedented opportu-built to provide access from newly continues to play a pivotal role in nity for these states and provincesGHYHORSHG ÀHOGV VXFK DV WKH %DN- accessing energy resources andken Formation to both traditional mitigating environmental impacts.and nontraditional markets, includ- And energy demand and invest- The Western Energy Corridor contains a world-classing Asia. There are also plans to ment from Asia will continue to concentration of energy resources critical to ensuringexpand CO2 pipelines to enhance impact markets around the world.oil recovery and CO2 sequestration. regional, U.S., Canadian, and international energy securityNew transmission lines are being The outlook for the WEC’s eco-planned and built to access and nomic prosperity is both timely and economic development. The states and provincesintegrate more remote renewable and promising. Vast natural within the Corridor have an unprecedented opportunityenergy sources, such as wind. Rail resources, strong commitmentexpansion continues to be essen- to economic development and a to collaborate with each other relative to challenges andtial to coal development. New rail pledge to maintain quality of lifelines could also support delivery place the WEC in a unique posi- opportunities associated with developing these resources.of biomass feedstock as well as tion to capitalize on its riches andproduct from the Alberta oil sands become an international leader to collaborate and more effectivelyand the Bakken Formation to new in energy resource development. address pertinent energy chal-markets. Realizing the potential for devel- lenges and opportunities including opment, distribution, and utiliza- policy, regulation, technology de-Sustainable energy development tion of the WEC’s energy resources ployment, and regional economicwithin the WEC relies on a num- will present both opportunities and development. Such an approachber of interdependent factors. For challenges that will require more may be advantageous to these low-example, energy development sophisticated and regionally inte- population jurisdictions given theirincreasingly requires mitigating grated approaches, enabling policy, VRPHWLPHV OLPLWHG SROLWLFDO LQÁX-impacts on air, water, landscape, and continued investment. ence at the national level.

Western Energy Corridor Executive Summary

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