Renewed interest in the Arctic's hydrocarbon resources presents the possibility of a dramatic explosion of industrial development in the North, bringing with it the potential for social disruption and environmental degradation. The Pembina Institute's Energy Solutions team uses its experience and knowledge of oil and gas issues to help northern-based groups and communities effectively engage in energy-related decision-making processes.

Northerners are increasingly concerned about the potential impacts of oilsands development in northern Alberta. Many are concerned in particular about how oilsands development may threaten the quality and quantity of transboundary water resources, contribute to air pollution and accelerate climate change. The Pembina Institute works with northerners to share our knowledge about the environmental and social implications of oilsands development and to develop solutions that protect northern communities and ecosystems through capacity building workshops, research and presentations.

The Waters That Bind Us: Protecting Water Resources
North of the Oilsands

A report by the Pembina Institute, The Waters That Bind Us: Transboundary Implications of Oilsands Development, has found that current water management practices are not sufficient to protect water in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories from the impacts of oilsands development. Oilsands development uses large quantities of freshwater and produces large amounts of toxic waste, posing a risk to water quality and quantity both locally and downstream.

The report includes a number of recommendations for improving water management and minimizing risks to water, including the completion of a transboundary water agreement between Alberta and the Northwest Territories and the suspension of new oilsands lease sales and approvals until stronger environmental rules protecting water are in place.

Read the press release // fact sheet // full report. 

Downstream: Voices from Keepers of the Water III

The Pembina Institute participated in the Keepers of the Water III conference held in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, from August 13 to 17, 2008. Fort Chipewyan is located along the northwestern banks of Lake Athabasca, directly downstream from the Athabasca Oilsands. The conference highlighted concerns about oilsands-related pollution and its impact on health and the environment in Fort Chipewyan. Pembina Institute staff presented recommendations for more responsible oilsands development, as well as information about pipeline links between the oilsands and Northwest British Columbia. In the videos below, three conference participants speak about oilsands development.

Charlie Sam, Nak'azdli Band First Nation, from Fort St. James, British Columbia.

Left: Pat Marcel, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Elder from Fort Chipewyan, Alberta.
Right: David Dewitt, Laksilyu Clan of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, from Upper Skeena Watershed, British Columbia.

Research and Publications

The Pembina Institute has researched and written a number of publications on northern energy issues.

The Mackenzie Gas Project

In 2007, the Pembina Institute participated in the regulatory hearings for the Mackenzie Gas Project in the Northwest Territories, presenting research on the sustainability of the project, the potential cumulative impacts of induced development, and policy options to better guarantee wise end use of the gas. Pembina's reports on the Mackenzie Gas Project include:

• Assessing the Mackenzie Gas Project's Contribution to Sustainability: Why Wise Use Matters, an examination of how the project could move Canada towards sustainability under certain conditions;
• Scenario Analysis: A Best Practice Approach to Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of the Mackenzie Gas Project;
• Revenue from Non-renewable Resources: A Review of Experience; and
• Mackenzie Gas Project Greenhouse Gas Analysis - A Consolidated Report.

Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Development

The Pembina Institute has conducted extensive research on the environmental impacts of oil and gas development. The publications listed below focus on oil and gas issues facing Canada's North.

• A Peak into the Future: Potential Landscape Impacts of Gas Development in Northern Canada models potential gas development impacts in the Mackenzie Delta, Colville Hills and Peel Plateau. The Pembina Institute also issued a response to the Yukon government's review of A Peak into the Future.
• Environment and Energy in the North is a series of six primers, two guides and a listing of resources and contacts. This series, created to assist Northerners, provides information about how to effectively participate in the management of environmental impacts from oil and gas development, and how to ensure that government and industry are using the best practices available.

Green Economics and Policy

The Pembina Institute conducts research on the impact of government fiscal policy on the environment, and promotes policies and tools that will help create a more ecologically sustainable economy.

• When the Government is the Landlord examines the oil and gas royalty regimes, revenue usages, and associated environmental impacts in western and northern Canada. The report compares the royalties regimes in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alberta, British Columbia, Norway and Alaska.

The Pembina Institute also has experience identifying and quantifying the negative environmental externalities associated with northern oil and gas development. The term "environmental externality" refers to environmental damage that results from the consumption and/or production of a good or service that is not directly reflected in the price charged for the good or service. Environmental externalities usually exist because relatively open access to the environment (air, water, land) means that it can be treated as a free receptacle for the wastes of production and consumption.

For more information on Pembina's ecological economics work, please refer to our Green Economics website.