Alberta Liabilities Disclosure Project

ALDP is a non-partisan initiative pushing for accurate and transparent government-level data on Alberta’s oil and gas liabilities.

[Alberta Liabilities Disclosure Project @ALDPCoalition]

ALDP response to federal funding for oilfield cleanup: "Funding will jumpstart well cleanup, but threatens integrity of Polluter Pays Principle" @RKBtoo #abpoli #cndpoli

[Regan Boychuk @RKBtoo]

Thanks to @djclimenhaga for sharing this w/ his readers -- reporters seem to have lost our phone numbers & editors weren't interested in our op-eds on the #RStarScam

#abpoli is lucky to have his public service at https://t.co/hKz15WYMWS

[Regan Boychuk @RKBtoo]

#RStarScam Timeline

[Regan Boychuk @RKBtoo]

"The media & .@albertaNDP opposition let #abpoli down & are yet to offer anything better than merely replacing .@ABDanielleSmith. This May will provide a spectacular opportunity for #ableg to demand more than a pittance in royalties & >mere lip service to #PolluterPay" #oilandgas

[Regan Boychuk @RKBtoo]

"Premier .@jkenney had personally tasked .@ABDanielleSmith & Kris Kinnear w/ promoting the #RStarScam as the “answer” to .@ALDPCoalition's #PolluterPay proposal. Smith told ALDP as much in our meeting the morning of July 27 2021."

[Regan Boychuk @RKBtoo]

"The fact this #RStarScam continues to threaten the pocketbooks of #abpoli raises serious questions about the state of democracy in #ableg."

[David Climenhaga @djclimenhaga]

The RStar Scam: The sordid history of a suddenly famous subsidy scheme. Guest post by Regan Boychuk. https://t.co/805teQM69g #ableg #abpoli #RStarScam @RKBtoo

[Alberta Liabilities Disclosure Project @ALDPCoalition]

"there's a giant moral hazard. If Ms. Smith subsidizes co's for doing what they’ve already promised,why'd other co's who're currently living up to their obligations cont. doing so?

...@ABDanielleSmith’s role is problematic.Before she became premier, she was an industry lobbyist"

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

Proposed Pilot (#RStar) details clarifications.

As part of 3-person delegation for @ALDPCoalition , I met with Department of Energy, Deputy Minister level (Minister travelling).

A thread 🧵 on our discussion Friday, Feb 17:
1/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

Ministry confirmed that the plan is to incentivize cleanup of the “ugliest” “contaminated” sites (or possibly areas within sites such as flarepits). Choice of terminology triggers legal questions raised and acknowledged by the Ministry (more below).
2/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

They want to build an element into the proposed pilot program whereby landowners may nominate well sites for cleanup, where well must have been drilled prior to 1980 and has been inactive for 20 years min.
3/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

Strong indications and mention of project goals being largely service sector benefits (jobs). Entry requirements would eliminate most small producers - the main benefactors without question would be big producers if pilot goes forward.
@politicalham @DuaneBratt
4/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

Unlike RStar proposals previously floated by Lobbyist Smith in 2021, dollar-for-dollar royalty credits for new wells drilled seems to be the maximum (Smith proposed credits 2x cleanup spending). Did not confirm credits earned through cleanup cannot be /can be traded.
5/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

Turning to messages delivered by @ALDPCoalition heard loud & clear, noted by Ministry:

1. Cancel consideration of the proposal - tighten up / stick to polluter pay model.

2. Consult with PAYING PUBLIC as mineral owner (not on consult list)!!!

3. Point explained below.

6/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

3). Contaminated sites or portions thereof:

We raised & Ministry all but confirmed there are potential legal barriers (& significant political issues) associated with targeting contamination.

Significantly, Ministry confirmed this is “remediation” for legal purposes.
7/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

Remediation of the adverse effects of releases of substances of concern is governed by Part 5, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). Section 111-113 in particular.

<https://t.co/6exaNlDTvo>

8/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

In short, releases of contaminating substances must be reported in a legislated fashion (Record of Site Condition Form), mitigated and managed without delay. They can’t be left for decades. Remedy is Environmental Protection Order (EPO) under S. 113.
9/n

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

From the perspective of getting the “ugliest” messes cleaned up there are two choices:

1. No more illegal delay. Regulator issues EPO and cleanup/jobs/economic benefits triggered at OPERATOR EXPENSE as per @ALDPCoalition jobs report.

10/n

https://t.co/2EBEFAzgUX

[Mark Dorin @mark_dorin]

2. Offending companies are rewarded for breaking the law - first to the tune of $100 million dollars diverted from the province’s income stream from royalties on the sale of publicly-owned minerals, after Pilot who knows how much public funds (up to $70 B for well cleanup).
11/n