A $10-million permit for expansion of the Co-op Refinery was the item that drove grpowth in the value of permits in August.

More than $44 million worth of permits were issued in August, compared with just over $28 million in August of last year.

Through the first eight months of this year, almost $310 million worth of permits have been issued in Regina, up from $275 million in the same period last year.

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We may hear some good news from Sask Energy today.

The crown-owned natural gas company will announce its new rates for the winter heating season at 10.30 this morning.

Rates have fallen in recent years because the fuel is in abundant supply, and that situation is expected to continue for years to come. 

620 CKRM will have all the details for you through the day.

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Premier Brad Wall was in Ottawa last night, having dinner with one of the major political players in Washington.

Wall and Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach met with House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a powerful critic of Canada's oilsands.

Pelosi is in Ottawa for a meeting of Speakers from G8 countries.