The Oil Drum | DrumBeat: July 24, 2007

376 comments on DrumBeat: July 24, 2007

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Stoneleigh on July 24, 2007 - 8:58am

A new Round-Up has been posted at TOD:Canada.

Water concerns are emerging in North America as the world warms. The US wants a continental approach to water supply, but Canadians disagree. Meanwhile, in parts of England, there's "water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink".

The 'true north' tries to be 'strong and clean', but can't seem to do a proper energy audit. Arctic gas pipelines move a step closer to reality. Power supply in Ontario tightens further, while Cameco discovers uranium in the soil. Can we harness tornado-power next?

The insatiable debt-monster of Wall street spreads from subprime to Alt-A, bond ratings spawn legal action, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac attempt a subprime bail-out. The savings rate stays negative south of the border, as Americans keep borrowing just to stay on the treadmill.

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SacredCowTipper on July 24, 2007 - 9:29am

I don't recall where I saw it, but the U.S. Great Lakes basin states have a compact which disallows the export of lake water from the watershed. There is one town that straddles the divide and they have quite the issue dealing with the compact.

Many of these maneuvers depend on the rule of the law and respect for property rights. We know with exacting detail just how little the Bush administration cares for that first bit and a quick look at Zimbabwe shows what happens when things are scarce. A large portion of these rules will simply evaporate in the face of the new reality ... and Canada's provinces will become new U.S. states as soon as survival is at stake.

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Stoneleigh on July 24, 2007 - 9:41am

Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

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Durandal on July 24, 2007 - 9:47am

I tend to have the thought that water is attainable as long as sufficient levels of cheap energy are available. Desalination, distillation, and other methods of treatment can produce good water when it's hard to find otherwise. There are a few areas where water cannot be found at all to be purified, such as the desert, and in those circumstances, we shouldn't be living there to begin with. Where I am, the humidity level is so high, you could get all the water you needed by simply running a dehumidifier and having the captured water go into a sistern. This isn't possible in a desert area, however.
~Durandal (http://www.wtdwtshtf.com/)

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undeadFiz on July 24, 2007 - 11:05am

As was on the Drum Beat a few days ago:

PARK DISTRICT URGES PUBLIC TO HELP “SAVE OUR LAKE” FROM INDUSTRIAL SLUDGE

BP Whiting refinery vs City of Chicago.

Let the water wars begin!

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Stoneleigh on July 24, 2007 - 6:19pm

TOD:Canada Round-Up update:

Oil pipeline accident causes spill in Burnaby, B.C.

The oil gushed for a reported 25 minutes before crews were able to staunch the flow.

"We had a vehicle hit an oil head," Cpl. Jane Baptista, of the Burnaby RCMP, told The Canadian Press on Tuesday.

"There was some oil spilled over the road. We have hazmat (hazardous materials) and Burnaby Fire Department on scene. Police have assisted with some evacuation of some residents there."....

....There are fears that a major environmental problem may be developing.

Local radio station News1130 reported that witnesses are described the scene as a "river of oil."

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