A new study by an Alberta ecologist reveals that the province's energy regulator, the AER, is deficient in the environmental data necessary to accurately assess and manage the impacts of tailings spills from the oil sands industry. The study, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, found discrepancies between publicly released data and information gathered by the AER from oil companies, including an underestimation of spill numbers and volumes. The researcher also asserts that the AER's claimed lack of adverse environmental effects from tailings spills lacks supporting data.
A new study by an Alberta ecologist has found that the province’s energy regulator lacks the data required to assess and manage the environmental impact of tailings spills, and has underestimated the number and volumes of spills in the oil sands.
He also found that the footprint of spills recorded by the AER was “unrealistically small” relative to spill volumes. As such, he asserted that the total recorded spill volumes“The AER’s failure to gather credible and relevant environmental data, conduct routine on-site inspections, and protect ecosystems from harm is inconsistent with its regulatory responsibilities,” Dr. Timoney wrote in his study.
Its technical staff also prepare an annual state of fluid tailings report “after reviewing each operator’s report in detail to ensure that the tailings management activities of the reporting period align with all approvals and actual field performance and activities,” it says. The AER said subject matter experts will review the study’s data for a more comprehensive response, but stressed that it routinely conducts inspections to ensure that releases have been cleaned up and remediated in accordance with regulations.
Dr. Timoney found instances of spill volumes that were unrealistic, incorrect dates and locations that were far from the actual incident; in one case, about 200 kilometres away.“Something as simple as spill locations, the information that they provided
ENVIRONMENT CANADA OIL SANDS REGULATION TAILINGS SPILLS
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Danielle Smith announces new team to patrol Alberta-U.S. borderAlberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained Alberta Sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.
Read more »
This Supreme Court Case Could Forever Change Environmental ReviewsChris D'Angelo is a senior reporter at HuffPost, based in Maine. He covers public lands, climate change, biodiversity and environmental policy. Prior to joining HuffPost, he wrote for daily newspapers in Hawaii.
Read more »
B.C. to skip environmental assessments to fast-track wind power projectsBC Hydro currently forecasts that demand for electricity will increase 15 per cent in the province by 2030, it plans to meet that demand by issuing new calls for private power projects every two years
Read more »
Christmas trees: Knowing the environmental impact of going real vs. artificialThere are a myriad of reasons to make your decision on whether you would prefer to have your presents under a real or fake tree during the Christmas holidays.
Read more »
Mellon Foundation Grants $4 Million to University of Michigan for Environmental Justice HubThe Mellon Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million to the University of Michigan to establish an “Environmental Justice + Humanities Hub”. The hub aims to connect students with communities working on environmental justice issues, develop a new curriculum, offer an undergraduate minor and graduate certificate, and create positions for a professor and lecturer. The initiative emphasizes the importance of incorporating humanities perspectives alongside scientific and public health approaches to address environmental justice concerns.
Read more »
Union warns of environmental risks from diverted aviation fuelStriking aviation fuel workers in British Columbia are raising concerns about the potential environmental hazards associated with diverting fuel to bypass the industrial action.
Read more »