National Energy Strategy Simulation 2013
Simulation FAQs Energy Policy Simulation FAQs 2013
A major component of the course is a simulation of a multi-stakeholder consultation on a key energy policy controversy. This year students can choose among three topics: BC Hydro Integrated Resource Plan, Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, or National Energy Strategy.
Scenario: Amidst escalation tensions among Premiers over energy issues, the Prime Minister has convened a multistakeholder forum of government, industry, and societal representatives in an effort to force consensus on a National Energy Strategy.The two most important issues are market access for oil sands (and related issues about the pace of oil sands developments) and climate policy.
Objective: The objectives of this exercise are to develop practical skills — teamwork, research, and communication — necessary for constructive participation in policy development, while simultaneously developing a deep understanding of one crucial component of energy policy.
Organization: Participating students will be divided into ten groups reflecting different stakeholders involved in the process:
- Government of British Columbia
- Government of Alberta
- Government of Ontario
- Government of Quebec
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Clean Energy Canada
- Assembly of First Nations
- Canadian Council of Chief Executives
- Canadian Labour Congress
- David Suzuki Foundation
Process: Students will be assigned to groups based on random selection. Students are expected to consult “real world” versions of their caucuses. There will be an evening, mock multi-stakeholder consultation on March 28, 5-9 PM (attendance is required). Groups are also responsible for selecting their representative (and an alternate) to speak and negotiate for them during the consultation. Students are responsible for identifying appropriate resource materials to support their briefs and arguments.
Assessment: The simulation accounts for 30% of your grade, components of which have been allocated and designed to stimulate both effective group and individual effort:
- 10% for the group brief submitted March 21, not to exceed 2000 words (strictly enforced). This is a group project, which clearly and concisely presents the group’s initial position on the question. It should contain references. Grading Rubric 425 briefMarking Guideline also Guide to writing an advocacy brief 2013 a sample brief NG1-Suncor-bickerton-choy-docherty-martin
- 10% for each student’s participation in the group. This grade will be based predominately on the recommendations for grades that students provide for each other.
- 10% for the performance of each group in the consultation.
Note: The group brief needs to be submitted to www.turnitin.com before being submitted to the instructor. The class ID number is 2666779, the password is “sustainus”. If you do not already have a user profile on the site, you will have to create one.
Agenda
5:00-6:00 Initial Presentation from Caucuses (5 minutes each)
6:00-6:45 Facilitator Identification of areas of agreement and disagreement
6:45-7:15 Dinner Break: Group meetings
7:15-8:30 Narrow range of disagreements
8:30-9:00 Establish consensus position or range of options
Suggested Readings
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (2011). CAPP on Canadian Energy Strategy. Available at: http://www.capp.ca/getdoc.aspx?DocId=192974&DT=NTV.
___(2013). CAPP on Climate. http://www.capp.ca/environmentCommunity/Climate/Pages/default.aspx.
Canadian Labour Congress (2008). Climate Change and Green Jobs: Labour’s Challenges and Opportunities. Available at: http://www.canadianlabour.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/ClimateChange-amended.pdf.
Energy Policy Institute of Canada (2012). A Canadian Energy Strategy Framework: A guide to building Canada’s future as a global energy leader. Available at: http://www.canadasenergy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Final-Document-Aug-1.pdf.
TIDES Canada (2012). A New Energy Vision for Canada. Available at: http://cleanenergycanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/TidesCanada_New_Energy_Vision_for-Canada.pdf.
Trottier Energy Futures Project (2013). Low-Carbon Energy Futures: A Review of National Scenarios. Available at: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/Low-Carbon%20Energy%20Futures.pdf.