AWA believes that energy exploration and development must be regulated in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of wilderness values.

• •
• •
• •

• Introduction
• Archive
• Other Areas
We believe in a fundamental need for wilderness that is free of industrial incursion; a network of legislated protected areas is currently the only framework under which this can be ensured. Outside of such areas, exploration and development must be conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. Full-field life-cycle planning must be required for all new developments including phase-out, remediation, and reclamation. Adequate reclamation liability must be assessed on a per-project basis that accounts for all remediation and reclamation costs, and does not leave Albertans vulnerable to major financial risks.
AWA believes Alberta’s wilderness and natural capital are non-renewable resources of immeasurable value, and must be considered as such and given priority in land-use planning.  An overarching land-use plan is desperately needed in Alberta to set targets for all sectors, determine thresholds and establish priorities for land use throughout the province. Conservation areas must be designated with legal protection.
When considering land disturbance impacts, the cumulative footprint of all past, present and planned developments upon the landscape must be considered. Energy development does not take place in isolation: it occurs on a landscape also impacted by forestry, residential and recreational developments. The combined footprint of all of these activities must be considered in planning decisions.
Collectively, we know that the economic value of the ecosystem services performed by natural ecosystems for humankind far exceeds that of industrial development.

AWA has been involved with Shell Canada as they work to restore landscapes once active with drilling and extraction; Waterton 12 is one such site (shown above). (N. Douglas)

Seen in the photo are AWA and Shell Canada employees discussing the process and early results of reclamation efforts at this site that has reached its full life-cycle. (C. Olson)
December 18, 2024
News Release: Oil sands companies used more water last year, despite regulator’s claim of improved efficiency
December 18, 2024 (Updated December 19, 2024) A new report published by the Alberta Energy Regulator…
Read more »
• News Release
• Oil Sands
December 17, 2024
AWA Feedback on Proposed Oil and Gas Emissions Cap Regulations
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Alberta Wilderness Association wrote to Environment and Climate Change Canada…
Read more »
• Oil and Gas
• Oil Sands
December 12, 2024
Environmental and health professionals call for investigation into Alberta oil and gas company’s failure to report air emissions
Originally published by Ecojustice here: https://ecojustice.ca/news/environmental-and-health-professionals-call-for-investigation-into-alberta-oil-and-gas-companys-failure-to-report-air-emissions/  CALGARY/TERRITORIES OF THE BLACKFOOT AND PEOPLES OF TREATIES 6…
Read more »
• News Release
• Oil and Gas
December 12, 2024
Application for Investigation to ECCC Re: CNRL’s Failure to Report Emissions to the NPRI
This letter is an Application for Investigation pursuant to section 17 of the Canadian Environmental…
Read more »
• Oil and Gas
December 3, 2024
Northback Public Hearing: Transcript of AWA’s Oral Presentation
On December 3, 2024, AWA presented in the public hearing on Northback Holdings’ applications to explore Grassy…
Read more »
• Coal
• Grassy Mountain Blog
• Headwaters
• Livingstone-Porcupine
• Native Coldwater Fish
November 25, 2024
All Bark and No Bite: Climate Finance in Canada
Findings from an April 2024 report by Oil Change International and Friends of the Earth,…
Read more »
• Climate Change
• Oil and Gas
• Oil Sands
• WLA Archive
November 21, 2024
AWA Opposition to Spur Petroleum Ltd.’s Proposed Mikkwa Exploration Project
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) sent a letter to Little Red…
Read more »
• Bison
• Boreal Forest
• Caribou
• Harper
• Oil and Gas
• Wetlands
November 15, 2024
Minister Response: Renewable Energy Development on Agricultural Land
In response to our letter sharing our concerns on the potential limits for renewable energy…
Read more »
• Climate Change
• Coal
• Energy
• Hydroelectric Power
• Oil and Gas
• Oil Sands
• Solar Power
• Wind Power
November 7, 2024
AWA’s written submission for the Grassy Mountain public hearing on Northback’s coal exploration applications
On November 5, 2024 the following letter was provided as AWA’s written submission in advance…
Read more »
• Coal
• Grassy Mountain Blog
• Headwaters
• Livingstone-Porcupine
November 5, 2024
News Release: AWA Applauds Oil and Gas Pollution Cap, but Improvements are Needed
November 5, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) appreciates the highly anticipated release…
Read more »
• Climate Change
• News Release
• Oil and Gas
• Oil Sands
October 31, 2024
Alarm bells raised as Alberta’s refusal to assess dangers of massive oilsands carbon capture project sparks safety concerns
October 31, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CALGARY/TERRITORIES OF THE BLACKFOOT AND PEOPLES OF TREATIES 6…
Read more »
• Climate Change
• News Release
• Oil Sands
• Pipelines
• Uncategorized
September 26, 2024
AWA letter on Renewable Energy Development on Agricultural Land
Regarding the enacted and proposed restrictions on renewable energy – not applied to other, more…
Read more »
• Coal
• Energy
• Grasslands
• Hydroelectric Power
• Oil and Gas
• Oil Sands
• Solar Power
• Wind Power