No evidence to support Alberta agency’s claims about cleanup of oilsands spills, study suggests

A recent analysis of a decade’s worth of data from Alberta’s oil and gas regulator has raised concerns about the accuracy of information regarding the cleanup of oilsands tailings spills. Ecologist Kevin Timoney, who conducted the study, discovered discrepancies between internal documents from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and the information released to the public.

Timoney’s study focused on 514 tailings spills reported between 2014 and 2023. Despite the AER’s claims that 75% of these spills were successfully cleaned up with no reported wildlife effects, Timoney found that the regulator lacked data to support these assertions. In fact, 91% of the spills were not inspected by the regulator, and the information provided by oil companies was often vague or incomplete.

The study highlighted the lack of oversight and inspections following tailings spills, with many reports containing minimal information or generic conclusions such as “no environmental impact at this time.” Timoney expressed surprise at the absence of detailed environmental assessments, noting that the regulator did not conduct tests to determine contaminant levels in soil, groundwater, or lakes.

Inconsistencies between the AER’s internal records and the public database were also noted in the study. For example, the volume of a spill was reported as 44.6 million liters in the public database, while internal documents indicated a volume closer to 4.5 billion liters. This discrepancy raised questions about the accuracy of the information available to the public.

Martin Olszynski, an energy law professor at the University of Calgary, criticized the regulator for applying an “incredibly light touch” with the industry. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring environmental regulations are upheld.

In response to the study, AER spokesperson Renato Gandia stated that the agency conducts routine inspections to ensure spills are cleaned up in accordance with regulations. Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz’s press secretary emphasized the rigorous monitoring system in place in Alberta’s oilsands but encouraged any questions about the regulator’s processes to be directed to the AER.

Overall, Timoney’s analysis raises concerns about the accuracy and transparency of information regarding oilsands tailings spills cleanup. The discrepancies between internal records and public data highlight the need for greater oversight and accountability in the management of environmental incidents in Alberta’s oil and gas industry.