Here at the Calgary Climate Hub we are proud co-signers of a letter demanding the resignation of the CEO and Board of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
New findings have revealed how the AER is failing in its purpose to regulate Alberta’s energy industry in a safe and environmentally-responsible manner.
Together with eight other Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs), we are calling for these changes to ensure the prioritization of the health and safety of Indigenous Peoples, Albertans, and ecosystems.
Dr. Kevin P. Timoney published new research in January 2025 concluding that the AER is:
- failing to gather credible and relevant environmental data
- failing to conduct routine on-site inspections
- being dishonest in its reporting of oil sands tailings spills
Over a 10 year period, 97% of spills were not even inspected by the AER. Many of these spills showed evidence of environmental harm, despite AER’s claims to the contrary.
When the AER has issued punitive fines for environmental incidents, it has opted for low amounts, and applied them inconsistently in terms of offence severity.
The AER tends to prioritize industry over providing for “the efficient, safe, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of energy and mineral resources” (its stated mandate). Examples from our open letter include:
- not reconsidering Suncor’s flawed Operational Plan
- acting positively towards coal exploration despite a moratorium
- dismissing the need for an environmental impact assessment for a hugely disruptive carbon-capture project
Without exception, every one of the AER’s Directors has ties to the energy industry. The industry cannot be trusted to regulate itself!
Beyond replacing the CEO and Board, together with our co-signers we call for:
- an immediate response to Dr. Timoney’s research findings
- strict timelines for energy infrastructure decommissioning
- commencement of reparations to address its mismanagement of energy regulation
We say enough is enough! It's time for business to clean up its own mess. We are tired of subsidizing corporate profits at the expense of our communities, environment, and future generations.
Read the letter
Read Dr. Kevin P. Timoney’s paper
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