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Saturday, June 13, 2009

ERCB rejects new hearing on Alberta oilsands mines

Calgary Herald, June 12, 2009 - “Alberta’s energy regulator has turned down a request from environmentalists to order a new public hearing into Royal Dutch Shell’s Jackpine mine and Muskeg River mine expansion projects north of Fort McMurray.The groups said Shell failed to live up to voluntary pollution reduction agreements signed with them that earned their support in 2004 and 2006 for the bitumen expansion projects. The Oilsands Environmental Coalition (OSEC), which includes the Pembina Institute, asked the Energy Resources Conservation Board in April to order new hearings into the two projects, which were put on hold late last year as oil prices fell. “In the decision, the ERCB agrees that Shell has broken its commitment for greenhouse gas pollution, but the ERCB is refusing to do anything about it,” said Simon Dyer, Pembina’s oilsands program director. “We think the ERCB has an obligation to reopen the public hearing, and we are evaluating our legal options. This sets a very bad precedent for the ERCB, and is giving companies a licence to break commitments to Albertans with no consequences.” Read More.

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