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‘Activism over apathy’ by Nik Kuhl, Lethbridge Herald, May 1, 2014 And I think the provincial government has to recognize that this issue is not going to go away.” “The Alberta Energy Regulator and resource industry’s plans can trump municipal plans, and we’d like that to change,” Mr. “I do believe that we have a very strong regulatory process in Alberta, but this is a time to review policies.” “It’s not just about urban drilling but it’s about making sure we have regulatory process in place … for all Albertans, whether you’re drilling in urban or rural Alberta,” Ms.
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But the PC party’s current state of upheaval in the wake of Alison Redford’s resignation as premier – and focus on a September leadership vote – means another potential cabinet shuffle. Alberta Energy Minister Diana McQueen, appointed last December, has promised an urban drilling policy by the end of this year. The Progressive Conservative government began work on a cohesive policy specifically for drilling in urban areas two years ago but has nothing to report so far. The provincial Liberal and New Democrat parties are calling for a ban on all drilling in urban areas. The issue is becoming a bigger bone of contention between the provincial government and municipalities. “At some point, are going to turn around – maybe 10 years from now – and see there’s lots underneath the city of Calgary and they’re going to want to come in,” he said. Sutherland, who made his mark as a community association president who led a successful campaign to stop a proposed oil well near a Wal-Mart and houses in his suburban pocket. “They’re designed for the middle of a wheat field,” said Mr. But current drilling rules are weak, warns Calgary Councillor Ward Sutherland. The Alberta Energy Regulator dictates setbacks for wells from houses, with distances ranging from a minimum of 100 metres for a well with sweet natural gas, to 1.5 km for a sour-gas well, from which a leak could be lethal.
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Many existing urban wells were drilled before cities grew around them, and some are strategically placed in industrial parks. David Hill, a company spokesman, said Goldenkey is not interested in pursuing any urban drilling project again. “Public sentiment won out.”Ĭalgary-based Goldenkey, a small private company, will likely have to forfeit the $500,000 paid for the mineral rights, and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on public consultations and planning are a sunk cost. “The community of Lethbridge is very relieved,” said Dave McCaffrey, a spokesman for the community group No Drilling Lethbridge. Opponents are hailing Goldenkey’s decision as a victory of the common will, especially since the Alberta Energy Regulator has the final say on where and when oil and gas wells can be drilled, even in places where the municipal council and community oppose the plans. Last week, after two years of sustained opposition from city council, local businesses and residents – along with the likelihood of a protracted public hearing and the possibility of new provincial rules governing such projects – Goldenkey dropped its plan to drill the wells. And the downwind homeowners were furious about the planned wells, given the possibility for more drilling, noise, traffic and pollution, not to mention a drop in property values. The land is destined to become a new subdivision and is less than a kilometre from existing houses. But in this case, the field sits within the city limits of fast-growing Lethbridge, home to 90,000 people. Goldenkey Oil Inc.’s plan was to drill three exploratory oil wells in a farmer’s field in Southern Alberta – something that used to be a straightforward undertaking in a province that relies on underground resources for its economic well-being.
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Urban drilling for oil and gas raises new questions in Alberta by Kelly Cryderman, May 4, 2014, The Globe and Mail