In Alberta, we live by a simple rule: if energy companies are going to profit from the province’s energy resources, they must be responsible and properly decommission, remediate, and reclaim their sites.
As the sole regulator of one of the world's largest and oldest oil and gas industries, as well as oil sands and coal mines, we work with companies to make certain they manage their energy development so they are prepared to meet their obligations throughout a project's life cycle. Through proactive and reactive programs and strategies, the AER balances the protection of Albertans from unfunded liabilities, while providing for responsible and sustainable resource development.
Our innovative approaches, programs, and processes (listed below) manage liability and risks while also continuing to support economic development in the province. These programs will continue to evolve over time and are designed to balance multiple concerns: environmental protection, public safety, Indigenous and landowner interests, investment, royalties, jobs, and market volatility.
It has taken decades of increased development and economic ups and downs to get where we are today in terms of the amount of liability in the province. Alberta’s energy development story isn’t unique, but our story about how we approach liabilities management is.
