Regulatory Enhancement Project

In December 2012, the Responsible Energy Development Act�was passed, which creates a single regulator for upstream�oil, gas, oil sands and coal projects in the province.

What's New

There are a number of policies, regulations and pieces of legislation that govern how our resources are developed and regulated. The�Alberta Responsible Energy Policy System(AREPS) brings together these pieces, from the Alberta Energy Regulator, the departments of Energy and Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, into an easily searchable system.

Following an open, national competition, Government�announced seven board members and five�hearing commissioners to�complete the�Alberta Energy Regulator board. (June 12). On July 25th, additional hearing commissioners were appointed.

These appointments follow the previous announcements of Jim Ellisas CEO of the Alberta Energy Regulator (April 29) and�Gerry Protti as Board Chair (April 1).�

Consultations

This spring, the Government of Alberta hosted 19 public sessions and a number of First Nation and Metis sessions, seeking feedback from Albertans as we work to build the regulations that will support the Alberta Energy Regulator. Consultations looked at how Albertans want to be notified about energy projects in their community, how much time they need to respond to applications and�what elements the Landowner Registry must contain.

All feedback from in-person�sessions and the online survey�will be considered as we build the regulations, expected later this year.

If you have questions about the consultations please contact us.

What We Heard

During the public sessions we committed to providing a What We Heard report, as well as a copy of the presentation given at the session.

What We Heard��
Public Consultation Feedback
Presentation

How we got here

The Act was passed in December, the�new Alberta Energy Regulator will be responsible for all projects from application to reclamation. It will bring together the regulatory functions from the�Energy Resources Conservation Board and the Ministry of�Environment and Sustainable Resource Development into a one-stop shop. Project proponents, landowners, industry and Albertans will know where to go when they have a question about energy regulations in this province.

The new regulator began�a phased in approach to�operations in June 2013.

Where we�re going

Under the�Responsible Energy Development Act, the new regulator will operate at arm�s length from the Government of Alberta, under the direction of an appointed board of directors and chief executive officer.

The legislation also gives the regulator the authority to administer the Public Lands Act, the�Environmental�Protection and�Enhancement Act and the Water Act, with regards to energy development.

In addition to the single regulator, the Government of Alberta is making improvements to how it sets energy-related policy. Policy direction for the province will continue to be set by the government, through a newly-created Policy Management Office.

The office will be responsible for providing clear policy guidance to the new regulator. The Policy Management Office is also tasked with creating an effective process to engage Albertans in the policy-making process earlier, rather than after decisions are made. The office is also tasked with developing performance measures.

The single regulator is one part of the province�s commitment to improve integration of its resource system. This integration sets and achieves the environmental, economic and social outcomes Albertans expect from resource development, while maintaining the social licence to develop resources.

In addition to creating the single regulator, the province is completing and implementing regional plans. In August, the province released its first land-use plan for the Lower Athabasca Region. On Oct. 17, 2012, the province announced another component of its integrated resource system � an environmental monitoring system.

����Minister Hughes talks about the Responsible Energy Development Act

����How the�act balances growth in the province, with our strong environmental commitment.

����How the�act has important safeguards for landowners.

����How the�act will have a fair review process.

����Energy Minister Ken Hughes talks about Bill 2, the Responsible Energy Development Act.