Protecting the Athabasca River offers industry a chance to earn social licence

Op-ed - Aug. 29, 2013 - By Simon Dyer

Published in Oilsands Review (September 2013)

If you’re looking for a case study about the environmental management of oilsands development, take a look at how water from the Athabasca River is used in oilsands extraction.

This case study tells the story of how our governments are failing to balance the needs of the river with the demands of a thirsty industry, though no single company or project is to blame.

The narrative is complex, featuring a series of missed policy deadlines, competing statistics and questionable facts. But it could also be a good news story, with an economically viable solution waiting in the wings.

Let’s start with the water.

Read the full op-ed.


 Oilsands review article cover pageThis article originally appeared in the September 2013 issue of Oilsands Review.


Simon Dyer

Simon Dyer is the deputy executive director of the Pembina Institute. He is based in Edmonton.


Subscribe

Our perspectives to your inbox.

The Pembina Institute endeavors to maintain your privacy and protect the confidentiality of any personal information that you may give us. We do not sell, share, rent or otherwise disseminate personal information. Read our full privacy policy.