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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 5d

📣NEWS: A logging company (West Fraser) has proposed a 32% increase in its annual allowable cuts for a swath of PUBLICLY-owned forest in SW Alberta. Its logging plan also overlaps with critical habitat of at-risk grizzlies and trout.

We've written a letter:
albertawilderness.ca/c5-forestry-...
🌎

Feedback Letter: West Fraser's C5 Forestry Management Plan - Alberta Wilderness Association

Alberta Wilderness Associations feedback letter in response to West Frasers C5 Forestry Management Plan. (FMP)

albertawilderness.ca

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 9d

This event is happening TODAY at 7 p.m.! Join us in person at our AWA office in Calgary or attend virtually — sign up for free here: albertawilderness.ca/product/awa-...

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 14d

📢Want to hear about inspiring Indigenous conservation work in Alberta? We have an event THIS MONDAY, Sept. 29 that covers exactly that. Sign up for free to attend in person or virtually here:
albertawilderness.ca/product/awa-...
#yycevents #yegevents

AWA Talk Night - Inspiring Indigenous Land-Use Initiatives - Alberta Wilderness Association

Learn about Alberta-based, Indigenous-led efforts to protect traditional ways of life, with Carolyn Campbell, Crystal Lameman, and Karey Brooks.

albertawilderness.ca

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Reposted by Alberta Wilderness Association

CPAWS Northern Alberta @cpawsnab.bsky.social · 16d

Today we and @albertawilderness.bsky.social filed an appeal to the Alberta courts to challenge the decision that was made to CANCEL a public hearing for a coal mine in Alberta. 🔗: cpawsnab.org/all-news/env...

We argue that the AER's CEO, who made the call, did not have the authority to do so.

Environmental groups turn to Alberta Court of Appeal after Alberta Energy Regulator CEO cancels public coal hearing - CPAWS Northern Alberta Chapter

Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and Northern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS NAB) call for the Alberta Energy Regulator CEO's unprecedented decision be tested ...

cpawsnab.org

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 16d

NEWS: We + @cpawsnab.bsky.social filed a case with the provincial court to argue that the energy regulator CEO overstepped his authority when he sided with Summit Coal Inc to cancel a PUBLIC hearing,

Companies should not be allowed to bypass public accountability.

shorturl.at/e4yeW
#coal 🌏

Joint News Release: Environmental groups turn to Alberta Court of Appeal after Alberta Energy Regulator CEO cancels public coal hearing - Alberta Wilderness Association

AWA and CPAWS Northern Alberta call for the Alberta Energy Regulator CEO's unprecedented decision to be tested before the provincial courts.

shorturl.at

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 20d

The bottom line:

Oilsands reclamation is slow, partial, and will likely not recreate the natural ecosystems that were destroyed. Such is the case for McClelland Lake wetlands, which we’ve tried to protect for decades and which, if destroyed, won’t be restored in our lifetime.

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 20d

The areas the premier flew over very likely looked nice and green because they have lots of tall trees. But green areas don’t always mean "healthier."

Wetlands are natural to the area and resist wildfire. Losing them forever is not healthy for our ecosystems. →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 20d

Reclamation is supposed to put the land back to the way it was, but research shows reclaimed areas remain ecologically different from natural forests even decades later.

Carbon-rich wetlands ("peatlands") are hardest hit: first mined for oil, then often replaced with trees. →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 20d

The premier’s recent comments about oilsands reclamation aren't backed by research.

Reclamation efforts are SLOW. After 60 years of oilsands operations, only 0.1% have been officially certified by the AB government as reclaimed — about 1 square kilometre. →

Photo credit: Melanie Dene from Indigenous Climate Action

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 20d

Do Alberta’s “reclaimed” oilsands become “healthier and more resilient” lands than before industry dug them up? The premier says yes, but experts disagree. 🧵

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 22d

Did the CEO have the authority to dismiss the Alberta Energy Regulator panel? If so, what's the point of having a panel if the CEO can intervene and make the final call?

As @nigelb.bsky.social + Shaun Fluker point out, the answer will impact future energy project proceedings
shorturl.at/JE7Nl

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 22d

Here's how we got here:

- A provincial regulator panel DENIED the company's request to cancel.
- The (upset) company used political pressure to appeal to energy minister + regulator CEO to cancel.
- CEO sidesteps the regulator panel and cancels the hearing.

shorturl.at/JE7Nl
@nigelb.bsky.social

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Reposted by Alberta Wilderness Association

NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 23d

Even tho' the AER's CEO overturned a decision of its hearing commissioners in Aug, another part of the AER still (sept 9) writes letters saying that decisions of such commissioners "may only be reviewed by the Court of Appeal of Alberta”.
@albertawilderness.bsky.social @cpawsnab.bsky.social #abpoli

static.aer.ca

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · 27d

A former Alberta government biologist has a warning: Coal companies are polluting rivers and watersheds, and government isn’t stopping them.

Read Lorne Fitch's opinion article here:
albertawilderness.ca/lorne-fitch-...
#mountainsnotmines #coal
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Lorne Fitch: As Mining Companies Write Their Own Rules, People Pay the Price - Alberta Wilderness Association

Canada is letting coal firms off the hook for polluting B.C. and Alberta watersheds. By...

albertawilderness.ca

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 8

A coal company wrote to Alberta Energy + Minerals Minister demanding a public hearing be cancelled. Then head of the province’s energy regulator Rob Morgan took the unprecedented step of overruling his own hearing commissioners to side with the company.

www.theenergymix.com/alberta-regu...
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Alberta Regulator CEO Overrules Own Panel, Scraps Coal Hearing After Company Complains to Minister

After a coal company wrote to Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean demanding a public hearing be cancelled, the head of the province’s energy regulator Rob Morgan took the unprecedented ste...

www.theenergymix.com

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

+ Consider joining us for a road trip to explore the beautiful valley of Bighill Creek and learn how gravel mining and oil production are impacting the area.

albertawilderness.ca/product/adve...

Adventure for Wilderness - Cochrane North Fall Field Trip - Alberta Wilderness Association

Join us for a roadtrip to explore the beautiful valley of Bighill Creek. Learn about the geology of the area, as well as how gravel mining and oil production are impacting the Bighill Creek environmen...

albertawilderness.ca

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

If you want to learn more about mature assets, check out these great explainers from reputable sources like @thenarwhal.ca (thenarwhal.ca/alberta-regu...; thenarwhal.ca/danielle-smi...) →

Everything you need to know about Alberta’s new liability report | The Narwhal

Cleaning up after oil and gas is expensive. Here’s what you need to know about new information just released about Alberta’s cleanup bills

thenarwhal.ca

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

AWA is also part of the Coalition for Responsible Energy (C4RE) alongside landowners, scientists, academics, & Indigenous + civil society organizations. We also support the efforts of partner organizations such as the environmental law charity Ecojustice.

Want to learn more? →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

What is AWA doing about it?

Alongside our partners, we've been working to increase public awareness of this issue. Each year, we hold educational field trips with a professional geologist to abandoned well sites. Our next outing is Sept. 13: albertawilderness.ca/product/adve... →

Adventure for Wilderness - Cochrane North Fall Field Trip - Alberta Wilderness Association

Join us for a roadtrip to explore the beautiful valley of Bighill Creek. Learn about the geology of the area, as well as how gravel mining and oil production are impacting the Bighill Creek environmen...

albertawilderness.ca

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

What’s happening now?

The AB gov't proposed a “mature assets strategy” in April, developed w/out consulting the public or any enviro groups + w/ limited Indigenous participation. If adopted, it'll put costs on taxpayers instead of polluting companies who profit from wells. →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

There are nearly 474,000 oil and gas wells in Alberta. At least half of them are drying up or no longer producing (according to the provincial energy regulator). At some point, they will all need to be cleaned up.

What’s happening now? →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

Why do oil wells need to be closed properly?

When sealed improperly, they can emit harmful toxins into the land, air, and water for decades, posing a serious health and safety risk to people, wildlife, & ecosystems →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

Why aren’t oil & gas wells being cleaned up?

2️⃣big reasons:
-Companies go bankrupt before cleaning up
-AB gov't doesn't collect enough funds from companies to guarantee cleanup. Under 1% of the estimated up to $88 billion needed has been collected.

Why does this matter? →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

Here's the short version of mature assets:

Generally speaking, these are oil & gas wells that are drying up and not as profitable as they once were. Companies are supposed to pay to seal off these wells + reclaim the land, but in reality, this often doesn’t happen.

Why not? →

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Alberta Wilderness Association @albertawilderness.bsky.social · Sep 5

What are “mature assets”? Why is the term showing up in the news more and more these days? And what do you need to know about them?

Read on to find out more 🧵→

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