Environmental Assessment

Government updates "Guide to Preparing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports in Alberta"

AEN — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:34:06 +0000

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

Attention EIA wonks, and anyone interested in the environmental assessment and approvals process in Alberta:

Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development has updated their Guide to Preparing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports in Alberta.

Download the Guide from the Alberta Environment website

Coalition calls on panel to reject Shell Jackpine oilsands mine expansion

AEN — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:39:55 +0000

The Pembina Institute

Alberta Wilderness Association

Fort McMurray Environmental Association

Ecojustice

29 Oct 2012

CALGARY — With public hearings into a proposed oilsands mine expansion set to begin today, a coalition of environmental groups is calling on the joint federal-provincial review panel to reject the project.

Shell’s proposal to expand its Jackpine oilsands mine would increase production at the existing facility by 100,000 barrels per day. The company’s environmental assessment shows that expanding the Jackpine oilsands mine along with other planned developments will harm fish and wildlife, damage wetlands and old growth forests, exceed legally binding air quality limits and cause acid rain. It will leave a legacy of toxic waste buried in lakes, damage two significant rivers, and produce greenhouse gas pollution that will put Canada’s and Alberta’s climate targets further out of reach.

The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition — comprised of the Pembina Institute, the Alberta Wilderness Association and the Fort McMurray Environmental Association, and represented by Ecojustice — has outlined its concerns about the Jackpine mine expansion in a detailed submission to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

“Shell Jackpine’s environmental assessment shows the highest level of environmental impacts ever reviewed by an oilsands panel,” said Carolyn Campbell of the Alberta Wilderness Association. “Albertans and Canadians would be shocked to learn that regional habitats for sensitive species like caribou, owls and forest birds are projected to decline by 30 to 60 per cent, based on proposed development over millions of hectares in northern Alberta.”

The joint review panel process aims to assess the environmental, economic and social impacts of the proposed project to determine whether the expansion is in the public interest and should proceed. Regulators have already approved plans to triple oilsands production from current levels to more than 5 million barrels per day, despite the serious environmental problems that have accompanied oilsands expansion to date.

“When we consider Shell’s proposal in the context of all the other industrial activity currently taking place or planned for the oilsands region, it’s clear we’re at a crossroads,” said Simon Dyer, policy director at the Pembina Institute. “The environmental impact assessment for this project offers the clearest indication we've ever seen that the cumulative impacts of planned oilsands development are just too high to be considered responsible.”

Changes that could make oilsands development more responsible include establishing and implementing a low-flow limit on water withdrawals to protect the Athabasca River, implementing a comprehensive wetland protection policy, requiring proof of successful long-term reclamation of liquid tailings and introducing federal regulations to limit greenhouse gas pollution from the sector.

“The current speed of oilsands development is damaging the social fabric of Fort McMurray and exceeding our ability to cope,” said Ann Dort-Mclean of the Fort McMurray Environmental Association. “There is no need for another oilsands project, especially when the downsides are so high.”

The Shell Jackpine Mine Expansion hearings begin in Fort McMurray on October 29. The Oilsands Environmental Coalition will appear before the panel along with expert witnesses Dr. David Schindler of the University of Alberta and Dr. Glenn Miller, a tailings expert from the University of Nevada.

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Background

For an overview of the environmental concerns related to the Jackpine proposal, see the Pembina Institute media backgrounder, “The case against the proposed Shell Jackpine oilsands mine expansion”
The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition’s detailed submission to the joint review panel is available online via the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency registry.
Read the Ecojustice blog post, “Oilsands — more crude production, more problems”

Contacts

Simon Dyer Policy Director | Pembina Institute | 587-873-3937
Carolyn Campbell Conservation Specialist | Alberta Wilderness Association | 403-921-9519
Melissa C. Gorrie  Staff Lawyer | Ecojustice | 780-405-8597

Source: Ecojustice

Jackpine Mine Expansion Project

AEN — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:50:13 +0000

Organization:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Initiative:

Shell Jackpine Mine Expansion Joint Review Panel

Deadline:

1 Oct 2012 (All day)

On August 17, 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) issued the Notice of Hearing for Shell Canada Energy's Jackpine Mine Expansion Project. The hearing is scheduled to begin on October 29, 2012 in Fort McMuuray. In order to file a submission or submit evidence at the hearing, you must file your submission by October 1, 2012.

Sierra Club Prairie Chapter has sponsored a website to help you file your submission or otherwise share your concerns about the proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion.

Jackpine Mine Expansion Project (CEAA)

Pembina reacts to oilsands monitoring update

AEN — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:55:52 +0000

The Pembina Institute

16 Jul 2012

EDMONTON — Jennifer Grant, oilsands program director with Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the joint Canada-Alberta update on oilsands monitoring:

“Today’s announcement showcases the progress made to date in developing a credible environmental monitoring system for Alberta’s oilsands region. Seeing tangible, on-the-ground improvements is positive and we look forward to similar progress implementing an independent governance system with enhanced inclusivity and a sustainable, long-term funding model.

“As rigorous monitoring is only one component of responsible development, the Pembina Institute will continue to work with the governments of Alberta and Canada to advance other critical pieces of the puzzle. These include cumulative environmental triggers and limits that protect air quality, wildlife and water, and a completed land use plan. The full package is needed to get the job done right.”

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Contact

Kevin Sauve
Communications Lead
604-354-2628

Background

To learn more about Pembina’s role in improved oilsands monitoring, read this blog post.
To learn more about responsible oilsands development read the Pembina Institute report, “Solving the Puzzle: Environmental responsibility in oilsands development.”

Source: The Pembina Institute

New Report Shows Federal and Provincial Governments Breaking Own Rules On Air and Water and Land To Approve More Oil Sands Projects

AEN — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:43:53 +0000

Keepers of the Athabasca

10 Jul 2012

Edmonton, Alberta – A new report released today entitled Alberta’s Oil Sands Development is Not Responsible- Moratorium Needed shows that since 2004 the federal and Alberta provincial governments have knowingly broken their own publicly vowed rules requiring the monitoring and consideration of environmental cumulative effects of all oil sands projects (effects include water, air, biodiversity and land).

The report, released by Keepers of the Athabasca, was written by Helene Walsh, who has worked for more than 10 years with the Alberta government, Alberta environmental and citizen groups and Alberta’s Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA), where she was on the board.

“I showed my report to CEMA and it was praised for being factually correct, but CEMA would not take it to government and the public. This is the problem I’ve come up against for years – no one seems willing to regulate the petroleum industry,” said Walsh.

The report examines the key findings of five recent reviews of current monitoring efforts: the Federal Oil sands Advisory Panel (2010), the provincial Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) Review Panel, a panel commissioned by the Royal Society of Canada, the provincial Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel and the Auditor General of Canada. All five reviews concluded the environmental monitoring in the oil sands region has not been adequate to measure the current cumulative effects.

In addition, evidence documented from the five reviews, aboriginal groups and independent study shows the harmful environmental effects caused by the oil sands industry in the region already pose a threat to air, water, land and biodiversity.

“It’s deeply troubling both levels of government are pushing so hard for more oil sands development despite mounting proof that harmful cumulative environmental effects exist – proof that is being actively ignored,” said Walsh.

The report recommends:

An independent monitoring program capable of detecting regional trends and cumulative effects and this program is implemented and has adequate results,
Independent limits established for environmental damage to the air, water, land and biodiversity such that there will not be lasting harm to the environment.

Keepers of the Athabasca are First Nations, Metis, Inuit, environmental groups, and watershed citizens working together for the protection of water, land and air in the Athabasca River Watershed of Alberta.

For more information, please contact:

Helene Walsh, Keepers of the Athabasca, 780-922-0908

Download the full report (PDF)

Source: Keepers of the Athabasca

Pembina reacts to passage of Bill C-38

AEN — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:04:50 +0000

The Pembina Institute

19 Jun 2012

EDMONTON — Ed Whittingham, executive director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the federal government's passage of Bill C-38, the omnibus budget bill:

“The Harper government’s insistence on passing this bill to weaken Canada’s environmental laws demonstrates that it is not listening to the concerns of the many thousands of Canadians calling for more environmental protection, not less.

“The federal government has a critical role to play in ensuring that Canada’s environmental review process is rigorous enough to allow resource development to happen in a responsible manner. Unfortunately, Bill C-38 undermines the government’s ability to play that role.

“Responsible resource development requires listening to scientists and making decisions based on the best available information. It means properly assessing the impacts of proposed projects and requiring strong environmental protection. The passing of this bill is a significant step backward and will result in unnecessary damage to Canada’s land, freshwater and fish habitat.”

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Contact

Ed Whittingham
Executive Director
(403) 899-0578

Background

Source: The Pembina Institute

Pembina reacts to federal government plans to weaken environmental assessment

AEN — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:46:21 +0000

Pembina Institute

17 Apr 2012

CALGARY — Simon Dyer, policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s announcement that the federal government will weaken environmental oversight of resource development projects:

“With the proposed changes to the federal environmental review process, Canadians will get weaker, less-informed decision-making, sloppy environmental protection by resource developers, and an increased likelihood of environmental impacts.

“Independent observers like the Royal Society of Canada have stated that Canada needs to strengthen its role in environmental assessment in the oilsands, but the federal government’s plan takes Canada in the opposite direction.

“At a time when the level of proposed resource development — particularly in the oilsands — is increasing, the federal government needs to enhance its oversight of these projects. The government may say it is committed to more efficient and effective decision-making, but its plans to cut the budget of the agency charged with making those decisions by 40 per cent undermines the government’s ability to deliver on that commitment.

“The federal environmental review process is generally more rigorous than provincial assessments and evidence suggests provinces like Alberta do not have adequate capacity to properly review projects on their own. There is no question that the federal government’s proposed changes will unnecessarily weaken environmental protection for Canadians.”

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Contact

Simon Dyer
Policy Director
Cell: 403-322-3937
Julia Kilpatrick
Communications Manager
Cell: 613-265-5579

Source & Background: Pembina Institute

Pembina reacts to new joint oilsands monitoring plan

AEN — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:12:00 +0000

Pembina Institute

3 Feb 2012

EDMONTON — Jennifer Grant, director of the Pembina Institute’s oilsands program, made the following statement in response to the new joint Canada-Alberta implementation plan for oilsands monitoring:

“The need to improve monitoring of the environmental impacts of oilsands production has been widely recognized, and it’s promising to see that this plan commits to transparency and accessibility and is based on technically-sound information.

“It’s very positive that more pollutants will be tracked, and that the area monitored is being expanded to include downstream and downwind regions. But better monitoring is only one piece of the puzzle.

“The government’s regulatory capacity and commitment to actually manage environmental impacts continues to lag behind the pace and scale of new oilsands development, and new projects continue to be approved even though we don’t have enough information to understand the impacts. That is not responsible management.

“For example, the federal government has witnessed the steady decline of woodland caribou herds in the oilsands region for years, but has failed to take the necessary actions to protect the species as the population declines and risks being eliminated from the oilsands region.

“A scientifically credible monitoring plan provides a strong foundation for improved environmental management of oilsands development, and we look forward to working with government to ensure it’s used as the basis for informed decision-making and action to address environmental impacts.”

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Contact

Jennifer Grant
Oilsands Program Director, Pembina Institute
Phone: 403-678-0449
Julia Kilpatrick (English / français)
Communications manager, Pembina Institute
Cell: 613-265-5579

Background

Blog: “What to look for in the federal report on monitoring pollutants in the Athabasca River”
Report: Solving the Puzzle: Environmental responsibility in oilsands development
Media release: “Groups ask federal court to force environment minister’s hand on caribou”

Source: Pembina Institute

Beyond Monitoring— Responsible Management Needed for Oilsands Environmental Impacts

AEN — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:41:22 +0000

Alberta Wilderness Association

3 Feb 2012

Today, forty five years after the first tar sands mines started, the federal government has finally taken steps to introduce credible monitoring for contaminants and habitat degradation from oilsands development. Alberta Wilderness Association believes that long-overdue monitoring of Alberta’s oilsands impacts is a step in the right direction, but monitoring itself will not fix any of the issues which have so bedeviled the industry for the past few years. Monitoring is of no use unless the results of that monitoring are used to inform management decisions, including setting meaningful impact limits.

“The overdue monitoring should not distract from the need to responsibly manage oilsands industry impacts to water, wetlands and wildlife in the fragile boreal ecosystem,” says Carolyn Campbell, conservation specialist with Alberta Wilderness Association. “It is crucial to set disturbance limits on total land, wetlands and threatened species habitat disturbance, so we are not simply monitoring the demise of the boreal ecosystem.”

The federal government has legal responsibilities for species at risk and migratory birds, and the Alberta government is already years overdue on promised biodiversity targets. Responsible disturbance limits for land, wetlands and threatened species habitat should be introduced now. Peat wetlands that cover over 40% of the oilsands region are crucial for surface water storage, shallow groundwater recharge, and wildlife habitat; once destroyed, they cannot be replaced. In situ exploration and development has already brought very high levels of disturbance across woodland caribou ranges once considered remote.

Some specific elements of responsible management would include:

A ‘no-net-loss’ wetland policy should be introduced for Alberta’s public lands;
Leasing and new industrial development in woodland caribou habitat must stop
Biodiversity gems must be protected from tar sands mines and in situ: for example, the Suncor-Total-Teck Fort Hills mine project should not be allowed to mine in the upper watershed of McClelland Lake Wetland Complex.
Remaining relatively intact southern boreal forest areas on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range should receive protection compatible with range use, as is the case in Saskatchewan.

For more information contact:

Carolyn Campbell, AWA conservation specialist (403) 283-2025

Source: Alberta Wilderness Association

Public Consultation: Pierre River Mine & Jackpine Mine Expansion Revised JRP Agreements

AEN — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:44:53 +0000

Organization:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Initiative:

Pierre River Mine & Jackpine Mine Expansion Projects Public Consultation on Revised Joint Review Panel Agreements

Deadline:

24 Feb 2012 (All day)

On January 30, 2012, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) released for public comment two agreements with Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) for the environmental assessment of two oil sands projects in northern Alberta.

The public is invited to comment on a revised draft agreement to establish a joint panel for review of the Pierre River Mine project. In addition public comment is being sought on revisions to the existing joint panel agreement for the review of the Jackpine Mine Expansion project.

The proposed revisions to both project agreements allow for the possibility of the Jackpine Mine Review Panel to also review the Pierre River Mine project. The Minister of the Environment will make the final determination for the federal government on the panel establishment for the Pierre River Mine project and decide whether the agreement for the Jackpine Mine project will be modified to allow the proposed changes.

The Minister established the Joint Review Panel for the Jackpine Mine project and issued the final joint panel agreement in September 2011, following a public consultation on the draft agreements for both projects. The possibility of appointing the same panel to review the two projects was already under consideration at that time, and a single, integrated Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared by the proponent for the two projects. The agreements establish the mandate and authority of the joint panel, its composition and the procedures and timelines for the review processes.

The public is invited to submit written comments on the revised agreements in either official language to the Agency by February 24, 2012. After taking public comments into consideration, the agreements will be finalized and made public.

The revised agreements as well as additional information on the projects are available on the Agency’s Web site in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference # 10-05-59539 for Pierre River Mine and # 10-05-59540for Jackpine Mine.

To submit comments, obtain a copy of the revised draft agreements or to register as an interested party and be kept informed of the panel review activities, contact:

Kurt Saunders, Associate Director
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd floor, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613- 948-1351 or 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
kurt [dot] saunders [at] ceaa-acee [dot] gc [dot] ca

The Pierre River Mine Project proposed by Shell Canada includes the construction, operation and reclamation of an oil sands surface mine and bitumen extraction facilities. The proposed mining project would be located approximately 90 km north of Fort McMurray on the west side of the Athabasca River. The proposed development includes an open-pit mine, ore handling facility, bitumen extraction facilities, tailings processing facilities, support infrastructure, water and tailings management plans and the construction of a bridge across the Athabasca River. The project is designed to produce a total of 200,000 barrels of bitumen per day.

Shell Canada is proposing to expand the Jackpine Mine project. The expansion would include additional mining areas and associated processing facilities, utilities and infrastructure. The project would be located about 70 km north of Fort McMurray on the east side of the Athabasca River. The expansion project would increase bitumen production by 100,000 barrels per day, bringing production at the mine to 300,000 barrels per day.

Source: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Sign the Petition: Open data is good for the environment

russ — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:23:26 +0000

Ecojustice

The Government of Canada says it's committed to openness and transparency, but it has yet to make information about who is breaking environmental laws, and what it's doing to prevent and punish those violations, easily accessible through an online database.

On Dec. 15, 2011, Treasury Board President Tony Clement ( @TonyclementCPC) will hold a Twitter town hall to ask Canadians about open government. It's time to speak up for your right to a healthy environment.

A comprehensive, machine-readable database would let the public see what’s happening in their communities, allow corporations to monitor facilities across the country and enable investors to identify who is following the rules and who isn’t. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to deliver government information and services to citizens, businesses and others who can help make sure our laws are being followed.

Sign this petition if you believe that Canadians should be able to log on, type in their postal code and see who is breaking environmental laws and what government is doing to punish violators.

And on Dec. 15, tell Tony Clement that open data on environmental enforcement and compliance is good for you and the environment.

The official Treasury Board Twitter accounts will host two, 45-minutes discussions, one in French (4 to 4:45 p.m. (@SCT_Canada) and one in English (5 to 5:45 p.m. @TBS_Canada).

The hashtags for the event are #opengovchat for English and #parlonsgouvert for French.

We will deliver the results of this petition to the offices of Tony Clement and Environment Minister Peter Kent in January.

Visit the Ecojustice website to sign the petition

Pembina reacts to additional review of proposed Keystone XL pipeline

AEN — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:03:12 +0000

Pembina Institute

10 Nov 2011

CALGARY — Dan Woynillowicz, spokesperson for the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of State's announcement regarding additional review of the Keystone XL pipeline:

"By ordering additional environmental review of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama has made it clear that he has heard the concerns of Americans about environmental protection, climate change, and the need for the United States to create a clean energy future. The fact that climate change will be explicitly considered in the final decision is notable given the higher greenhouse gas pollution associated with oilsands compared to other sources of oil.

"President Obama's decision demonstrates that the regulatory process will be based on the best available information and analysis, and will take into account the views and concerns of American citizens. Then, and only then, will the President be equipped to determine whether the pipeline is in the best interests of the United States.

"This decision stands in stark contrast with the Canadian government's approach to the proposed Enbridge Gateway pipeline that would transport oilsands product to the West Coast. Rather than maintaining an objective perspective on this pipeline, Prime Minister Harper and his cabinet have been actively promoting its approval before public hearings on the environmental impacts of the project have even begun.

"The Canadian government should take a lesson from the U.S. and ensure a broader and more rigorous review of Gateway is completed, including the upstream environmental and greenhouse gas impacts of expanding oilsands development to fill the pipeline."

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Contact

Dan Woynillowicz
Spokesperson 
Cell: 250-551-2072
Julia Kilpatrick 
Media Manager
Cell: 613-265-5579

Background

Source: Pembina Institute

Pembina reacts to launch of Alberta’s new oilsands information portal

AEN — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:57:51 +0000

Pembina Institute

10 Nov 2011

CALGARY — Simon Dyer, policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the launch of the Government of Alberta's new oilsands information portal:

"We welcome measures by the Government of Alberta to improve the accessibility and transparency of some key oilsands performance measures.

"The new oilsands information portal allows the public to understand the environmental performance of various oilsands companies and the cumulative level of impact for key environmental performance measures including greenhouse gas pollution, land reclamation and the size of tailings lakes.

"The Pembina Institute has been calling for more transparency as a key element to improve oilsands decision making for years; this portal is a positive step toward achieving a higher level of accountability and environmental performance in the oilsands."

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Contact

Simon Dyer
Policy Director
Cell: 403-322-3937

Julia Kilpatrick
Media Manager
Cell: 613-265-5579

Stay up-to-date with the Pembina Institute's perspective on emerging issues related to Canada's oilsands — visit the Pembina Institute blog.

Source: Pembina Institute

Eco monitoring plan a non-plan says Sierra Club Canada

AEN — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:50:58 +0000

Sierra Club Canada

21 Jul 2011

The 'environmental monitoring' plan for the Tar Sands announced today by the federal government is actually a non-plan says Sierra Club Canada. Delay, delay, delay would be a more apt assessment of the federal government’s announcement.

Monitoring is fine but the real question is limiting pollution and addressing climate change. Sierra Club Canada has no confidence the federal and Alberta governments will actually do that. There is a long history of allowing the oil companies to do what they want.

"We want a real plan that limits pollution and addresses climate change," said Sierra Club Canada's Executive Director John Bennett. "Unfortunately, this plan is about public relations."

Sierra Club Canada doesn't have confidence the government is interested in regulating the oil industry. It's clear from the recent energy ministers’ in Kananaskis - sponsored by the major Tar Sands players - that government is too close to big oil.

"The federal government clearly isn't interested protecting the environment in Alberta, or seriously addressing climate change. Their primary concern is protecting profits of big oil and stemming bad PR," said Mr. Bennett. "This is a communications exercise plan and simple - and not a very good one."

A former anchorman, federal environment minister Peter Kent should know a story is more than the headline.

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John Bennett, Executive Director
Sierra Club Canada
(613) 291-6888
jb [at] sierraclub [dot] ca

Source: Sierra Club Prairie

Pembina reacts to Alberta environmental monitoring panel's report

AEN — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:54:37 +0000

Pembina Institute

5 Jul 2011

Jennifer Grant, director of the Pembina Institute's oilsands program, made the following statement in response to the Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel's report:

"The environmental monitoring panel's recommendations are thorough. We urge the government to move swiftly to implement a new, more robust and transparent monitoring system.

"More than 40 years after oilsands development started, Albertans have been told by numerous expert panels that environmental monitoring is insufficient. This is a matter of public trust and accountability and the government has a long way to go to restore public confidence that it is protecting the environment.

"It's important to note, as the panel did, that monitoring is just one component of natural resource management; you actually have to use the data to inform planning, regulatory decision-making and enforcement. You need the full package to get the job done — otherwise it's like having smoke detectors but no firetrucks or firefighters."

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Contact

Jennifer Grant
Oilsands Program Director, Pembina Institute
Phone: 403-538-7781

Source: Pembina Institute