Blake Shaffer 🇨🇦
@blakeshaffer.bsky.social
Associate professor of economics at the University of Calgary. Former energy trader.
blakeshaffer.ca
blakeshaffer.ca
This quote sums up why @jeromyyyc.bsky.social got my vote for YYC mayor yesterday.
We have too many rigidly ideological people in politics today; glad to reward someone demonstrating the ability to change. Now, to see it!
(Doesn’t hurt that he referenced a John Maynard Keynes quote too!)
We have too many rigidly ideological people in politics today; glad to reward someone demonstrating the ability to change. Now, to see it!
(Doesn’t hurt that he referenced a John Maynard Keynes quote too!)
October 21, 2025 at 8:36 PM
This quote sums up why @jeromyyyc.bsky.social got my vote for YYC mayor yesterday.
We have too many rigidly ideological people in politics today; glad to reward someone demonstrating the ability to change. Now, to see it!
(Doesn’t hurt that he referenced a John Maynard Keynes quote too!)
We have too many rigidly ideological people in politics today; glad to reward someone demonstrating the ability to change. Now, to see it!
(Doesn’t hurt that he referenced a John Maynard Keynes quote too!)
Interprovincial cooperation on linear energy infrastructure?
Yep!
Very positive direction letter from the Govt of Alberta to its grid operator to continue its work to fully restore the BC (and Montana) interties and "explore further value development opportunities at each interconnection". 👍
Yep!
Very positive direction letter from the Govt of Alberta to its grid operator to continue its work to fully restore the BC (and Montana) interties and "explore further value development opportunities at each interconnection". 👍
October 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Interprovincial cooperation on linear energy infrastructure?
Yep!
Very positive direction letter from the Govt of Alberta to its grid operator to continue its work to fully restore the BC (and Montana) interties and "explore further value development opportunities at each interconnection". 👍
Yep!
Very positive direction letter from the Govt of Alberta to its grid operator to continue its work to fully restore the BC (and Montana) interties and "explore further value development opportunities at each interconnection". 👍
October 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
As a reminder, whether it be $95 or $110 per tonne, the “policy price” for industrial emissions is largely moot right now.
Emitters can pay for compliance using emissions offsets and performance credits, which are currently trading bilaterally for under $29 per tonne.
Emitters can pay for compliance using emissions offsets and performance credits, which are currently trading bilaterally for under $29 per tonne.
October 8, 2025 at 12:11 AM
As a reminder, whether it be $95 or $110 per tonne, the “policy price” for industrial emissions is largely moot right now.
Emitters can pay for compliance using emissions offsets and performance credits, which are currently trading bilaterally for under $29 per tonne.
Emitters can pay for compliance using emissions offsets and performance credits, which are currently trading bilaterally for under $29 per tonne.
Looking forward to delivering this talk to my provincial utility commission this week on flexible electricity demand!
Lots of @tnorris.bsky.social @severinborenstein.bsky.social @jigarshahdc.bsky.social inspiration and references throughout!
Lots of @tnorris.bsky.social @severinborenstein.bsky.social @jigarshahdc.bsky.social inspiration and references throughout!
September 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Looking forward to delivering this talk to my provincial utility commission this week on flexible electricity demand!
Lots of @tnorris.bsky.social @severinborenstein.bsky.social @jigarshahdc.bsky.social inspiration and references throughout!
Lots of @tnorris.bsky.social @severinborenstein.bsky.social @jigarshahdc.bsky.social inspiration and references throughout!
The larches are showing off in Kananaskis now
September 28, 2025 at 3:22 AM
The larches are showing off in Kananaskis now
This graph by @leraffl.bsky.social tells quite the story.
A near term rise in PHEV (peaking in 2027) and a sustained rise in BEV has Chinese ICE sales projected to go to near zero (~3%) by 2030.
A near term rise in PHEV (peaking in 2027) and a sustained rise in BEV has Chinese ICE sales projected to go to near zero (~3%) by 2030.
September 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
This graph by @leraffl.bsky.social tells quite the story.
A near term rise in PHEV (peaking in 2027) and a sustained rise in BEV has Chinese ICE sales projected to go to near zero (~3%) by 2030.
A near term rise in PHEV (peaking in 2027) and a sustained rise in BEV has Chinese ICE sales projected to go to near zero (~3%) by 2030.
Doesn’t get much better than this…
Mount Assiniboine, BC 🇨🇦
Mount Assiniboine, BC 🇨🇦
September 15, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Doesn’t get much better than this…
Mount Assiniboine, BC 🇨🇦
Mount Assiniboine, BC 🇨🇦
Actually that was yesterday. Here’s today; topped by the wisp of a cloud…
September 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Actually that was yesterday. Here’s today; topped by the wisp of a cloud…
It’s right here. Little slice of heaven on earth…
I think I spotted you by telescope ;)
I think I spotted you by telescope ;)
September 14, 2025 at 11:03 PM
It’s right here. Little slice of heaven on earth…
I think I spotted you by telescope ;)
I think I spotted you by telescope ;)
This chart is wild. Near vertical direction on solar capacity globally, led by China.
And as Ember notes in a new report today, that trend is accelerating with nearly 400GW new capacity in first 6 months of 2025.
And as Ember notes in a new report today, that trend is accelerating with nearly 400GW new capacity in first 6 months of 2025.
September 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This chart is wild. Near vertical direction on solar capacity globally, led by China.
And as Ember notes in a new report today, that trend is accelerating with nearly 400GW new capacity in first 6 months of 2025.
And as Ember notes in a new report today, that trend is accelerating with nearly 400GW new capacity in first 6 months of 2025.
In 2019 (see article), the largest US westcoast coal port made it near impossible to export thermal coal off the US westcoast. Where did all that thermal coal go?
Through Canada.
Is it time to reconsider whether trans-shipping US thermal coal is the best use for Canada's limited port space?
Through Canada.
Is it time to reconsider whether trans-shipping US thermal coal is the best use for Canada's limited port space?
September 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In 2019 (see article), the largest US westcoast coal port made it near impossible to export thermal coal off the US westcoast. Where did all that thermal coal go?
Through Canada.
Is it time to reconsider whether trans-shipping US thermal coal is the best use for Canada's limited port space?
Through Canada.
Is it time to reconsider whether trans-shipping US thermal coal is the best use for Canada's limited port space?
Westshore Terminals, just south of Vancouver BC, long a major export port for metallurgical (steel-making) coal sourced from Southeast BC, is now predominantly handling thermal coal sourced from the US.
September 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Westshore Terminals, just south of Vancouver BC, long a major export port for metallurgical (steel-making) coal sourced from Southeast BC, is now predominantly handling thermal coal sourced from the US.
August 15, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Don’t see this everyday!
August 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Don’t see this everyday!
St John’s from Signal Hill
Scene looks serene but an evacuation order was just issued on 20,000 people 17km out of town for an uncontrolled fire… 😳
Scene looks serene but an evacuation order was just issued on 20,000 people 17km out of town for an uncontrolled fire… 😳
August 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
St John’s from Signal Hill
Scene looks serene but an evacuation order was just issued on 20,000 people 17km out of town for an uncontrolled fire… 😳
Scene looks serene but an evacuation order was just issued on 20,000 people 17km out of town for an uncontrolled fire… 😳
The province of Alberta has nearly matched the entire United States' number of reported measles cases.
www.dallasnews.com/business/hea...
www.dallasnews.com/business/hea...
July 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The province of Alberta has nearly matched the entire United States' number of reported measles cases.
www.dallasnews.com/business/hea...
www.dallasnews.com/business/hea...
Somebody out there bought crude futures at the Globex open last night and is now down nearly $10.
Crude down roughly $5/bbl from pre-US attack on Iran levels. 🤷♂️
Crude down roughly $5/bbl from pre-US attack on Iran levels. 🤷♂️
June 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Somebody out there bought crude futures at the Globex open last night and is now down nearly $10.
Crude down roughly $5/bbl from pre-US attack on Iran levels. 🤷♂️
Crude down roughly $5/bbl from pre-US attack on Iran levels. 🤷♂️
The Fixed vs Float decision for AB power has become more or less one of risk preferences.
Can expect *slightly* cheaper on the floating, but with some months coming up where you'll lose. Opting to fix again is reasonable.
Bottom line: don't accept the Rate of Last Resort. Always check admin fees!
Can expect *slightly* cheaper on the floating, but with some months coming up where you'll lose. Opting to fix again is reasonable.
Bottom line: don't accept the Rate of Last Resort. Always check admin fees!
June 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
The Fixed vs Float decision for AB power has become more or less one of risk preferences.
Can expect *slightly* cheaper on the floating, but with some months coming up where you'll lose. Opting to fix again is reasonable.
Bottom line: don't accept the Rate of Last Resort. Always check admin fees!
Can expect *slightly* cheaper on the floating, but with some months coming up where you'll lose. Opting to fix again is reasonable.
Bottom line: don't accept the Rate of Last Resort. Always check admin fees!
Air travel less dramatic. But the change is starting to pick up in these last 2 months...
June 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Air travel less dramatic. But the change is starting to pick up in these last 2 months...
Sometimes the data speaks very clearly...
June 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Sometimes the data speaks very clearly...
Good Q. This is just 1 year so it's possible we had an aberrantly cold Dec. I'll look into it.
I can also plot just a straight up fuel economy vs temp figure using trip level data. A lot of noise, but can plot a LOESS smooth through the trip data. Fit gets better when i remove short trips.
I can also plot just a straight up fuel economy vs temp figure using trip level data. A lot of noise, but can plot a LOESS smooth through the trip data. Fit gets better when i remove short trips.
June 5, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Good Q. This is just 1 year so it's possible we had an aberrantly cold Dec. I'll look into it.
I can also plot just a straight up fuel economy vs temp figure using trip level data. A lot of noise, but can plot a LOESS smooth through the trip data. Fit gets better when i remove short trips.
I can also plot just a straight up fuel economy vs temp figure using trip level data. A lot of noise, but can plot a LOESS smooth through the trip data. Fit gets better when i remove short trips.