Mary Griffiths, Environmental Policy Analyst with the Pembina Institute, recently commented on coalbed methane (CBM) development in Alberta. These comments were taken out of context in a CBC radio news bulletin, prompting questions about Pembina’s position on CBM development. Our position is clarified below.
The Pembina Institute is seeking to improve CBM regulation in Alberta to reduce environmental impacts. To be a viable source of gas in Alberta, it must be demonstrated that CBM is environmentally sound.
Summary of Activities
- Mary Griffiths and Chris Severson-Baker authored a report entitled Unconventional Gas: The environmental challenges of coalbed methane development in Alberta to enhance public awareness of the issues associated with CBM as well as to recommend improvements that could be adopted. Since its release in June 2003, the Pembina Institute has made many presentations to public, government and industry audiences, and responded to numerous calls from the media and the public seeking information and advice related to CBM development in their area.
- Mary Griffiths was selected by the Alberta Environmental Network as an ENGO member on the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) initiated by Department of Energy in January 2004. The MAC process is scheduled to be completed by November 2004. Mary attended and spoke at three of seven public consultation forums.
- The Pembina Institute supports the Butte Action Committee call for a moratorium on CBM production that has associated freshwater production (i.e., where it is necessary to depressurize coal seams by removing fresh water from the coal aquifer) until the MAC review period is over. This affects three projects at present.
- The Pembina Institute has called for incorporation of flaring and venting issues into the work of the current Flaring and Venting Project Team (FVPT) under the Clean Air Strategic Alliance. The Pembina Institute’s representative on the FVPT is Chris Severson-Baker.
- The Pembina Institute will continue to participate in the MAC until it makes its recommendations. At that time we will review and comment on the outcomes of that process and plan future activities.
If you would like more information please contact Mary Griffiths at maryg@pembina.org