Oil Sands

Government of Alberta launches climate change leadership consultations

Initiative: 
Climate Leadership Discussions
Deadline: 
18 Sep 2015

Updated: Open house times and locations added

On August 14, 2015, the Alberta government introduced their Climate Change Advisory Panel. Watch the announcement:

The panel is tasked with:

"…engaging Albertans, Aboriginal communities, and technical stakeholders on key issues related to climate change. They will facilitate conversations, consider input, and provide advice to Alberta's Minister of Environment and Parks. Input from the Panel will inform a new action plan on climate change for Alberta."

The Government also released the Climate Leadership Discussion Document, and launched the Climate Leadership Discussion survey to gather input from Albertans. The survey will be open until September 18. The Panel will also be hosting public forums in Calgary and Edmonton:

Calgary Tues, Sept 1
5:30-8:30 pm
Courtyard Marriot Calgary Airport
Stampede Ballroom
2500 48 Avenue NE
Edmonton Wed, Sept 2
5:30-8:30 pm
Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre
Grand Ballroom
11727 Kingsway Avenue

Climate change panel and consultation plan signal a shift in Alberta

Panel's expertise and broad consultation will help inform Alberta's efforts to take meaningful climate action

CALGARY — Ed Whittingham, executive director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to today’s announcement detailing members of the province’s climate change advisory panel and its consultation approach:

“The provincial government and panel chair, Andrew Leach, have put together a well-balanced line up of experts who bring a mix of perspectives and experience to guide its climate change consultation process.

“A broad and transparent consultation process will provide valuable input as the province seeks to develop a credible climate strategy that reflects the priorities and concerns of Albertans.

“Addressing climate change with timely, science-based and effective action is a critical foundation for Alberta’s future health and prosperity. The Pembina Institute welcomes the broad scope of the consultation plan and the clear framing of the challenge outlined by the Minister. There are many solutions available to help Alberta cut carbon pollution and adopt cleaner energy options. We look forward to working with the panel and participating in the consultation sessions.”

Read More

End in Sight for Energy Leasing in Alberta Caribou Ranges?

Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) has found that no new energy rights within Alberta caribou ranges are scheduled for future sales. Two in-range licences covering 24 km2, which had been posted for the August 19 rights auction, have since been withdrawn by Alberta Energy. AWA recognizes the importance of these lease sale withdrawals and urges the Alberta government to defer all new energy leasing within caribou ranges, until strong habitat-recovery range plans are in place to ensure survival of Alberta’s endangered caribou. Read More

Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project: Public Comments Invited on Additional Information

Initiative: 
Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project
Deadline: 
1 Aug 2015

July 2, 2015 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency invites the public to comment on athe project update and information request responses submitted by the proponent, Teck Resources Ltd., for the environmental assessment by review panel of the proposed Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project in northern Alberta.

The proponent recently provided a project update as well as responses to the supplemental information requests sent by the Agency to the proponent in February 2015. Read More

Oil and Gas Development Transforming North American Landscapes

Accelerated drilling activity is transforming significant portions of North America's natural landscapes. University of Montana scientists recently released the first broad-scale evaluation of oil and gas industry impacts on landscapes across the U.S. and Canada, including Alberta.

Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is renewing its call for development limits in sensitive forest and grassland ecosystems and for expanded protected areas networks. Read More

Energy East pipeline poses climate challenge for premiers

New report shows how success of multi-province energy strategy depends on addressing oilsands expansion plans, including west-to-east pipeline

QUEBEC CITY — As Canada’s premiers meet in Quebec City to discuss climate change, a new report from the Pembina Institute outlines key considerations and challenges for provincial discussions of a Canadian Energy Strategy.

The oilsands sector is Canada’s fastest-growing source of carbon emissions. That means infrastructure proposals such as the Energy East pipeline have a significant impact on the federation’s ability to meet climate change objectives. for a multi-province strategy to be credible and effective, it must take the full emissions footprint of fossil fuel projects into account.

Crafting an Effective Canadian Energy Strategy reviews the progress some provinces have made to date with carbon pricing policies. The report provides recommendations for making the Canadian Energy Strategy effective, and for how the provinces can fill the leadership vacuum left by the federal government on climate change — including by reviving the work of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. Read More

Call for Delegates: Alberta Energy Regulator Multi-stakeholder Engagement Advisory Committee

Initiative: 
Multi-stakeholder Engagement Advisory Committee (MSEAC)
Position: 
Member & Alternate Delegate
Application Deadline: 
8 Apr 2015

Purpose

The AER Multi-stakeholder Engagement Advisory Committee (MSEAC) has been established by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) as a venue to receive information about and understand and verify the values, perspectives and interests of AER stakeholders in the context of regulatory changes. The MSEAC is not a formal board or AER committee. Its objective is to serve as a sounding board for the planning, implementation and evaluation of AER engagement related to regulatory development.  Read More

Alberta Government chooses oil over water: new rules bow to corporate interests

Coalition of groups slam release of pro-industry water usage rules for the oil sands industry

VANCOUVER, March 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Today SumOfUs.org, Keepers of the Athabasca, Environmental Defence Canada and the Natural Resources Defense Council criticized the Alberta government for its decision to adopt weak new environmental regulations governing water usage in the oil sands industry today. The long-awaited Surface Water Quantity Framework (SWQF) and Tailings Management Framework set guidelines on how much water oil sands companies can extract from the Athabasca River, and guidelines regarding the management and production of toxic tailings waste. Read More

Government plan fails to protect lower Athabasca River when most needed

New water management framework leaves river exposed to unacceptable risk

EDMONTON — The lower Athabasca River will continue to be exposed to significant risks under the Surface Water Quantity Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River released today by the Governments of Alberta and Canada. Read More

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