News Release January 24, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB TO ADDRESS 87 RECOMMENDATIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY & SOUR GAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

CALGARY (January 24, 2001) - One month ago the EUB received the final report and recommendations of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Public Safety and Sour Gas. In its report of 87 recommendations, the Committee requested that the EUB develop a plan for addressing each of the recommendations, make the plan public, and publicly report on its progress.

At a formal presentation on Monday, January 22, EUB Chairman Neil McCrank told the Committee that the EUB is carrying-out these requests. In thanking the Committee for their hard work and thorough assessment, he stated, "I am reassured by the Committee's findings that Alberta has an extensive and comprehensive oil and gas regulatory system. And I am encouraged by the Committee's recognition that the EUB and the industry are working to ensure sour gas operations have minimal negative impacts on the public.

"However, we can make improvements, and we are committed to making the changes necessary to address the recommendations made by the Committee."

It's clear from the Committee's report that improving public consultation on sour gas matters could greatly reduce a number of issues. To that end a number of actions have already been taken by the EUB that address some of the Committee's recommendations.

Changes to the EUB's requirements for public consultation make it clear to applicants that merely notifying the affected public is not enough. The EUB expects applicants to consult with the affected public and provide the necessary information for them to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process. The EUB has also launched its Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) program as another way to get parties talking about development plans even before an application is made, so that issues can be resolved and conflicts prevented.

A Public Safety Implementation Team of senior EUB staff has the job of drawing up the plan, tracking progress and reporting back to the public and to the Committee, which has agreed to act as a type of auditor.

This progress aside, the EUB recognizes this is a multiyear process and has commenced work on the highest priority areas. Since receiving the Committee's recommendations, discussions have begun with various government departments and other stakeholders whose involvement is necessary for developing the right actions for each recommendation.

A documented plan identifying actions for each of the 87 recommendations will be made public in April, at which time the EUB will provide its first progress report for work already underway, addressing such areas as emergency response preparedness and understanding health effects.

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The report of recommendations for changing the way sour gas is developed and regulated in Alberta concludes a year of review on the issue by the 22-member, stakeholder group.

Copies of this news release and the Advisory Committee's report, which was submitted on December 18, 2000, are available on the EUB's Web site at <http://www.ercb.ca/>.

(Sour gas is natural gas that in its raw form contains hydrogen sulphide, which can be toxic to humans or animals. About 30 per cent of the raw natural gas produced in Alberta each year is sour gas.)

For further information please contact:

Greg Gilbertson, EUB Communications: (403) 297-3648
Eileen Kahler, EUB Communications: (403) 297-8144
Harry Lillo, Public Safety Implementation Team: (403) 297-3721

NR 2001-03