Bob Blair’s Pipeline

Written in the early 80s, this book brings to life the fascinating story of pipe-liners, politicians and the chase for the big energy dollars.

François Bregha discusses the implications of the federal Liberal government's 1980 decision to support the prebuild of a section of the Alaska Highway pipeline project, permitting the export of Alberta gas to American markets at a time when Canada was struggling to conserve non-renewable resources. Bregha traces the steps by which the Liberal government concluded a bad deal, under intense pressure from the Alberta government, Alberta gas producers and the ever-active Bob Blair, whose Foothills company stood to gain huge windfall profits from the project.

Bob Blair's Pipeline is a fascinating account of conflict and accommodation between business and several levels of government in the highly-charged field of northern energy development.