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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

ERCB DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM ACHIEVES 89 PER CENT SUCCESS RATE
ERCB UNVEILS  NEW SOLAR AIR MONITORING UNIT

Medicine Hat, Alberta (November 27, 2009) The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has released the 2008 Appropriate Dispute Resolution Review, which highlights the success rate of the ERCB’s Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) program.

ADR is used by affected parties when concerns and objections persist following negotiations between landowners and companies or occasionally between companies themselves, known as company-to-company objections.

Of the 44,000 applications received by the ERCB in 2008, there were 2,061 outstanding objections from landowners and 211 company-to-company objections.

Some of the parties that held objections turned to ADR while other objections may have been resolved between the company and landowner independently or through other ERCB public involvement processes.

The following are highlights from 2008 ADR activities:

• The ADR program realized an 89 per cent resolution rate.
• 147 staff facilitations were completed.
• 15 third-party mediations were completed.
• 29 of 53 cancelled hearings had ADR involvement, which saved all parties considerable costs.
• 8 company to company cases were held, 4 of which were resolved.

The ERCB has also unveiled a new state-of-the-art, solar–equipped, air monitoring vehicle.

Utilizing leading-edge technology, including an infrared camera and lens, solar panels, and the ability to measure emissions into the parts per billion, the vehicle is the latest inspection and compliance tool to ensure companies adhere to ERCB rules and regulations. 

The Energy Resources Conservation Board has over 900 employees located in thirteen locations across Alberta.  It is responsible for the effective regulation of over 163,000 operating oil and gas wells, 419,000 km of pipeline, and about 44,000 other energy facilities. The ERCB has been named as one of Alberta's top 40 employers for 2009 by Mediacorp Canada.

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This news release and the ADR Report are available on the ERCB website at www.ercb.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Darin Barter, ERCB Communications
Cell :  403-681-0946 
Email:  darin.barter@ercb.ca

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