Fort McMurray, Alberta - The Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) public hearing that will determine whether or not Suncor's oilsands expansion will receive regulatory approval wound down yesterday in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The Oilsands Environmental Coalition (OSEC), comprised of the Pembina Institute, Toxics Watch Society of Alberta and the Fort McMurray Environmental Association, appeared before the hearing and cross-examined Suncor and the Alberta Government. Having been presented with a long litany of environmental and socioeconomic concerns from environmentalists, Aboriginal groups and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the EUB will now consider whether Suncor's proposal is in the interest of Albertans.
Testimony by the Government of Alberta included another vague promise to regulate greenhouse gas emissions some time in the future, and a recommendation that Suncor be allowed to emit the full 99 kg of greenhouse gases per barrel of oil as requested in the project application—an increase in emissions per barrel of oil relative to current Suncor operations.
"There is a long list of significant environmental concerns associated with this project that the government is unprepared to address," said Chris Severson-Baker of the Pembina Institute. "Contrary to the Alberta Government's climate change plan, which calls for reductions in greenhouse gas emission intensity, they are proposing to allow Suncor to increase its emissions intensity with this project."
Amidst growing calls for a moratorium or slowdown of approvals for new and expanded oilsands development for environmental and socio-economic impact reasons, the EUB must now determine whether to approve Suncor's application.
"The suggestion that royalty revenues from further oilsands development are required to address the challenges oilsands growth is a red herring," noted Severson-Baker. "In 2005 oilsands royalty revenues represented only 7 percent of the Government's total resource royalty revenue from oil and gas."
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For more information contact:
Chris Severson-Baker, Pembina Institute
Cell: 403-899-7423
Myles Kitagawa, Toxics Watch Society of Alberta
Cell: 780-907-1231