PDF version: An Overview of Bill 2: Responsible Energy Development Act – What are the changes and What are the issues?*

Bill commented on: Bill 2, Responsible Energy Development Act, The Legislative Assembly of Alberta, 1^st Session, 28^th Legislature

On the heels of a sweeping overhaul to federal legislation to streamline federal approval processes for major energy projects, it is now Alberta’s turn.  Bill 2 – the proposed Responsible Energy Development Act (REDA) proposes significant changes to the way oil and gas (and coal) projects are approved and regulated in the province.  This post provides an overview of the Bill by highlighting the key changes that will be made to the current regulatory regime and the issues they raise.

Continue reading →

PDF version: Bill 2 and its implications for landowner participation in energy project decision-making

Bill commented on: Bill 2, Responsible Energy Development Act, The Legislative Assembly of Alberta, First Session, 28th Legislature

I find it strange to be writing in defence of the current hearing practice at the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB), but that is what I am about to do.  I find myself in this odd position because Bill 2 significantly reshapes the governing legislation on energy project hearings, and in doing so the Bill proposes to repeal existing statutory rights held by landowners under sections 26(2) and 28(1) the Energy Resources Conservation Act, RSA 2000, c E-10 (ERCA).  These existing statutory provisions provide a landowner or resident on the land upon which an energy project will be located, or those in very close proximity, with the right to an ERCB hearing to contest the project and the prospect of funding to construct their case.  Much has been written on ABlawg concerning these provisions (See various posts by myself and others here at the Faculty under the “Intervener and Standing” category, here. See also a short article I published in volume 111 of Resources (2011) entitled “Public Participation at the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board,” here. This post describes the changes proposed in Bill 2.

Continue reading →

PDF version: Bill 2, the Responsible Energy Development Act and the Enforcement of Private Surface Agreements

Proposal commented on: Bill 2, the Responsible Energy Development Act

Bill 2, the Responsible Energy Development Act (REDA) if enacted will afford the Regulator an entirely new jurisdiction over the enforcement of “private surface agreements.”  This comment discusses the following questions: (1) What is the status quo and what are the problems with the status quo?  (2) What will the Bill do?  (3) If change was necessary, why was this jurisdiction accorded to the Regulator and not the Surface Rights Board?  Focusing on question # 3 my general argument will be that it would be a better “fit” to accord this additional jurisdiction to the Surface Rights Board which already has considerable expertise in these matters.

Continue reading →

PDF version: Bill 2 and its implications for the jurisdiction of the Environmental Appeal Board

Proposal commented on: Bill 2, the Responsible Energy Development Act

This post examines the implications of Bill 2 for the jurisdiction of the Environmental Appeal Board (EAB).  The legislation will establish the new Alberta Energy Regulator (the Regulator) and will abolish appeals to the EAB with respect to decisions in relation to energy resource activities.  Instead, the Bill proposes a scheme of reviews by the Regulator of its own decisions.

Continue reading →

PDF version: Bill 2 Responsible Energy Development Act: Setting the stage for the next 50 years of effective and efficient energy resource regulation and development in Alberta

Bill commented on: Bill 2, Responsible Energy Development Act, The Legislative Assembly of Alberta, First Session, 28th Legislature

In the afternoon of Wednesday October 24, 2012 the Alberta government introduced Bill 2 – the proposed Responsible Energy Development Act (Alberta) – and the bill passed first reading.  In the words of the Minister of Finance, speaking in place of the Minister of Energy:

Continue reading →