January 13, 2025
When Conservation and Legislation Collide
To put it another way, what is the point of developing species recovery plans, wildlife…
Oil and gas activity can have a wide range of impacts on natural ecosystems, from the initial exploration stage, through development, production and decommissioning of infrastructure.
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Oil and gas wells, pumping stations, roads, pipelines and collecting systems all have a substantial footprint, and so a clear and open lifetime planning system is vital to ensure avoidance of sensitive ecosystems.
- Introduction
- History
- Archive
- Other Areas
Prairie Bluff, Castle (N. Douglas)
Moose Mountain well, Kananaskis (N. Douglas)
According to Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, oil and gas well reclamation is progressing at a much slower rate than well abandonment. This is resulting in a buildup of uncertified wells. On average, between 2002 and 2011, 14,227 wells were drilled per year, 4,111 were abandoned and 1,682 certified. This indicates that over the last 10 years, the certification rate has been approximately 40.9 per cent of the abandonment rate (Oil and Gas Reclamation, Alberta ESRD, March 2012)
Position
Alberta Wilderness Association believes that hydrocarbon exploration and development should be regulated in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of wilderness values. There is a fundamental need for the maintenance of wilderness that is free of industrial incursion. Outside of such areas, exploration and development must be conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.
2020
In February, AWA learned that Alberta-based Seven Generations Energy was the first Canadian natural gas producer to receive Equitable Origins’ (EO) certification to the EO100 standard. AWA has since engaged with Equitable Origins certifiers to support a sound application of the biodiversity provisions of their oil and gas certification, which we believe could help improve energy industry land-use practices. Since June, AWA has engaged directly with Seven Generations Energy around biodiversity concerns and opportunities in its Kakwa region lease holdings.
In early April, AWA voiced concerns about Alberta’s March 31 decision to suspend most energy industry environmental compliance reporting requirements. We were unconvinced that this was a pandemic safety-related measure since all data gathering and record-keeping requirements remained. We joined First Nations and other ENGOs in raising concerns when Alberta further suspended most environmental monitoring requirements in late April and early May; this occurred at a time when other economic activities were re-opening with pandemic safety measures in place. Although reporting and monitoring resumed in July 2020, AWA remains concerned about the interruption of compliance reporting and loss of data collection without transparent justification.
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
September 18, 2024
How Much of Alberta is Left for Renewable Energy?
A Review of the Enacted, Proposed and Potential Limitations on Renewable Energy Development in Alberta…
September 13, 2024
AWA Feedback on New Federal Greenwashing Provisions
On Friday September 13, 2024, Alberta Wilderness Association wrote to the Competition Bureau of Canada…
August 14, 2024
AWA comments on the Black Bear Power Plant Project
AWA submitted comments regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Black Bear Power Plant, a…