Municipal Energy Policies - Abandoned Energy Infrastructure and Transportation and Utility Corridors
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AUMA 2012 General Assembly approve the municipal energy policies.
WHEREAS in 2011 AUMA members attended the President’s Summit on Energy, and confirmed their interest in proactively addressing the impacts of the energy sector on urban municipalities, and identified significant issues and opportunities that should be addressed;
WHEREAS in 2012 the AUMA Board issued the mandate of developing an Energy Policy Framework and approved advancing polices over a number of years with 2012 policies focused on abandoned energy infrastructure and the impact of energy driven growth on transportation and utility corridors;
WHEREAS AUMA developed a Framework, Reference Guide, and recommended policy statements and sought members’ input through webinars, Digest articles, and the June Mayors Caucus; and
WHEREAS at its June meeting, the Board considered members’ input and adopted the policy for consideration at the 2012 Convention.
Energy – Nov 20, 2012
The Government of Alberta is committed to capturing greater value from our energy resources, now and into the future. To achieve this, the Province continues to work with industry stakeholders to explore opportunities to expand hydrocarbon processing capacity in Alberta.
As the process for developing a Canadian Energy Strategy continues to unfold, stakeholder engagement will be an important component. The energy sector impacts all Canadians, and it is necessary to build partnerships and take advantage of the diversity of knowledge across the country.
Transportation – Dec 5, 2012
The development of transportation and utility corridors faces many challenges and concerns from a variety of stakeholders both internal to Alberta as well as external to the province, in both the public and private sectors.
The Government of Alberta will continue to work cooperatively with all stakeholders on matters related to transportation and utility corridors in such a way as topreserve the integrity of Alberta and at the same time plan for the province’s future.
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development - Mar 12, 2013
Alberta has regulatory requirements that are supported by guidelines and criteria for the remediation and reclamation of abandoned industrial infrastructure.
The province ensures that accurate information about abandoned wells is publicly available (e.g., Environmental Site Assessment Repository provides location and file information for reclaimed sites that have been certified and for contaminated sites that have been reported to the department). Discussions continue on other mechanisms to help the public access information about abandoned wells.
The Energy Resources Conservation Board, ESRD, Municipal Affairs, and Energy are collaborating on initiatives to address concerns about abandoned wells in developed areas.
The province is committed to working with municipalities to ensure effective mechanisms to incorporate transportation and utility corridors into regional land use planning, and to mitigate the environmental risks.
A new arms-length environmental monitoring agency will engage with municipalities and key stakeholders to determine monitoring, evaluation, and reporting requirements.
The province is reviewing options to address concerns about abandoned and unreclaimed infrastructure. Municipalities will be consulted on any initiatives that arise from this review.
ESRD and Municipal Affairs are reviewing the recommendations developed by the brownfield working group and are committed to working with AUMA and other key stakeholders on this and many other issues.
Energy – May 10, 2013
The Government is committed to protecting public safety and the environment and is reviewing options for addressing issues raised by Albertans on abandoned energy infrastructure, including the work Brownfields Working Group. Municipalities will be consulted on and new initiatives arising from this work.
The government is also making progress on concerns around abandoned wells in urban areas, including changes to the Subdivision and Development Regulation that require developers to check for abandoned wells at the permit approval stage. Public access to abandoned well locations is available through ERCB’s Abandoned Well Viewer, but will not be included on land titles.
The government has legislation making industry responsible for abandonment, remediation and reclamation of wells, facilities and pipelines. This is funded by industry through the Orphan well program, which based on a recommendation from the ERCB will be increased to protect Albertans from future liabilities.
The government is also reviewing options for addressing the risks associated with Carbon Capture and Storage. The government has established the post-closure stewardship fund to cover costs related to the suspension, abandonment, remediation and reclamation of CCS facilities.
The department welcomes a discussion on how municipalities can play in supporting timely and fact-based information sharing to improve Alberta’s energy reputation.
AUMA accepts this response.