Environment
Why Did the Fish Cross the Road?
How the AER is helping to protect fish species in Alberta’s foothills
Warm summer days bring smiles to the faces of fishermen eager to cast their flies and lures into Alberta’s many waterways. However, some fish species are being threatened because their habitat is frag… Read more
Coal Mining Company Penalized
Prairie Mines pleads guilty to Obed Mine spill charges
The coal mining company responsible for contaminating a northern Alberta river system has received one of the largest penalties for a single release in Alberta history under the Environmental Protecti… Read more
For the Birds’ Sake
Oil sands committee helping to keep birds safe
While you’re likely familiar with the phrase “birds of a feather flock together,” you’ve probably never thought about it in terms of the energy industry, governments, and the AER working together to h… Read more
Every Drop Counts
AER launches industry water-use report to drive performance
You may be surprised to learn that the energy industry used just over two per cent of all water that was allocated across all industries in Alberta last year. Nonetheless, when it comes to water, ever… Read more
Award Not Water Off a Duck’s Back
AER employee recognized for leadership in water innovation
It goes without saying that water is our most valuable resource. Ask Mike Bevan, an advisor with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), and he would emphatically agree. Bevan has built a career around un… Read more
Getting Down and Dirty for Research
AER staff slog in the muck to collect samples for study
Sometimes it’s a dirty job. Last fall, the AER and Alberta Health kicked off a study to discover what substances are present during the “flowback” phase of hydraulic fracturing operations and whether… Read more
Don’t Poke the Bear
The nature of environmental management at the AER
No one likes to be stirred from a good nap, particularly if you’ve been asleep for several months. So when an oil and gas company came across a bear den during construction of its pipeline, Alberta En… Read more
‘Tis the season
Alberta’s oilpatch springs to life during the coldest months of the ye…
When the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER’s) Bonnyville field centre’s manager says “it’s gangbusters up here” on a routine call, you pay attention. Especially when it’s during one of Alberta’s longest… Read more
Driving Pipeline Performance
A new program launches in Alberta to improve pipeline safety
Kirk Bailey, the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) executive vice president of operations, knew that more could be done to improve pipeline safety, and that the solution wasn’t to just craft more rules… Read more
What’s In the Flare?
Study seeks answers about fracking-related emissions
Sporting grey coveralls and a hard hat, Mike Brown has traded in his paper-pushing desk job for the cold and unknown. This is one of many days (and nights) that he and other Alberta Energy Regulator (… Read more
