March 15, 2024
AER Town Hall – What We Heard Report
Executive Summary On Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) hosted a workshop with…
AWA believes that energy exploration and development must be regulated in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of wilderness values.
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AWA’s mandate throughout its four decades has been the protection of intact, representative ecosystems across Alberta. In areas where economic development is integrated within a working landscape, AWA supports robust management, regulation, and enforcement strategies.
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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)
March 13, 2024
News Release: Athabasca River Basin seeks recognition of legal personhood in voicing concerns about the CNUL Jackpine oil sands mine
March 13, 2024 CALGARY/TERRITORIES OF THE BLACKFOOT AND PEOPLES OF TREATY 7, HOME TO MÉTIS…
March 7, 2024
Statement of Concern Submitted to the AER Regarding CNUL Jackpine Mine Renewal Applications
On Thursday, March 7, 2024, Ecojustice—on behalf of Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and Keepers of…
February 28, 2024
News Release: New restrictions on renewable energy must be applied to oil and gas sector
Alberta has announced new restrictions on renewable energy development, including banning development on prime agricultural…
February 26, 2024
News Release: No Update to Action Plan for Wood Buffalo National Park Despite Recommendations – Environmental Groups Disappointed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Edmonton, AB/Calgary, AB – Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Northern Alberta Chapter (CPAWS…
February 22, 2024
A summary of the Module B Study: Overview of Modeling Results and Key Findings prepared for the AUC
A new analysis report commissioned by the Alberta Utilities Commission recently came out that examines…
February 22, 2024
Northback Holdings response to AER’s review process
On February 22, 2024, AWA was cc’d on correspondence from Northback Holdings Corporation to the…
January 26, 2024
AWA comments on Marguerite Lake Compressed Air Energy Storage Project
AWA commented on the Environmental Impact Assessment for Marguerite Lake Compressed Air Project, a proposed…
January 23, 2024
The ideal Transition to Renewable Energy Supply Must be Fair and Just
By Ruiping Luo Read the pdf version here. As the world works to achieve net-zero…
January 8, 2024
Then They Wrote it All Down as the Progress of Man
By Kennedy Halvorson Click here for a pdf copy. In 1971, American singer-songwriter John Prine…
December 19, 2023
News Release: Four Big Oil Companies Used 200 Billion Litres of Alberta’s Freshwater Last Year
According to a new report published by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), oilsands companies used…
December 18, 2023
AER Reform or Revolution?
By Phillip Meintzer The Alberta Energy Regulator “is a joke, a complete joke,” according to…