Updated: September 10, 2020
The budget for the joint provincial-federal Oil Sands Monitoring Program will be reduced by around 25% this year, citing less field work due to the COVID-19 outbreak. AEN members discussed the budget reduction on a call on August 26 and are seeking clarification from the Oil Sands Monitoring Program. Read more about Issue Brief: Oil Sands Monitoring
CALGARY — Nina Lothian, director of responsible fossil fuels at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation's final report on Alberta tailings ponds, released Sept. 3, 2020, which found scientific evidence of contaminated water seeping into groundwater around oilsands tailings ponds. Read more about Government action holding oilsands operators to account on tailings management long overdue
From the Calgary Climate Hub website:
Join us for our new weekly speaker series about what comes next as it relates to our country, the economic system and the climate crisis once the coronovirus has come and gone. Each week, Canadian thought leaders will answer three questions: Read more about A Climate of Change - Episode 9: Linda Coady
Edmonton – A new bill was proposed by the provincial government on June 11, 2020, which takes aim at removing “red tape” to reduce costs, speed up approvals, and eliminate regulations the government deems unnecessary. The new Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020, was proposed by the provincial government on June 11, 2020. The omnibus bill includes 14 changes across six ministries that would affect land use activities within our protected parks, oil sands project approvals, and energy efficiency–among other concerning environmental issues. Read more about New Bill 22 proposes changes to series of environmental tools in the name of “red tape reduction”
From the Calgary Climate Hub website:
Join us for our new weekly speaker series about what comes next as it relates to our country, the economic system and the climate crisis once the coronovirus has come and gone. Each week, Canadian thought leaders will answer three questions: Read more about A Climate of Change - Episode 8: Celia Lee & Dr. Noel Keough
Edmonton – The following letter was submitted on behalf of a joint group including the Pembina Institute, Alberta Wilderness Association, Smith’s Landing First Nation, CPAWS Northern Alberta, Mikisew Cree First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Metis Association and the Environmental Law Centre. The letter addresses the unilateral decisions to suspend oil and gas environmental monitoring and reporting and requests immediate reinstatement.
Download the letter from the CPAWS website Read more about Joint letter calls for the immediate reinstatement of environmental monitoring of oil and gas projects in Alberta
From the Calgary Climate Hub website:
Join us for our new weekly speaker series about what comes next as it relates to our country, the economic system and the climate crisis once the coronovirus has come and gone. Each week, Canadian thought leaders will answer three questions: Read more about A Climate of Change - Episode 7: Markham Hislop
Edmonton – Alberta’s Energy Regulator released two unilateral decisions on May 20, 2020, to suspend a series of environmental monitoring activities for all oil & gas operators and in situ operators. These suspensions include monitoring tailings for migratory bird landings, programs to detect and repair methane leaks, testing of surface waters and groundwater, soil monitoring, reclamation monitoring programs, wetland monitoring, and the requirement for lab testing of waters released to the environment. Read more about Environmental monitoring suspended for all oil and gas projects in Alberta
EDMONTON — SIMON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to Teck Resources Limited’s decision to withdraw the Frontier project application: Read more about Teck Frontier decision highlights need for co-ordinated climate policy
