Oil Sands Watch | Pembina Institute

 

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In situ report reveals major room for improvement

Fix oilsands impacts, not just image

Published in Calgary Herald (Mar 20, 2010), Edmonton Journal (Mar 19, 2010)

By Simon Dyer

There are no toxic tailings lakes, dead ducks, heavy-hauler trucks or strip mines visible from space: there's none of that associated with in situ oilsands development. So, as industry tells us, in situ oilsands development is nothing to worry about, right? Not quite, according to a new report evaluating in situ oilsands' real impacts.

Congress vs. Parliament: Who will decide Canada’s climate policy?

Published in Edmonton Journal (Feb 8, 2010), Guelph Mercury (Feb 9, 2010), Waterloo Region Record (Feb 9, 2010)

By Marlo Raynolds

Marlo Raynolds argues that the real challenge for Canada's Prime Minister is whether he is able to create a made-in-Canada climate plan — or leave it to American lawmakers to decide our climate and, therefore, economic policy.

Oil Sands Pipelines: Too Much Pressure on Wild Salmon?

Published in Prince Rupert Daily News (Dec 1, 2009)

By Greg Brown

Wild salmon are in trouble in British Columbia, and they face yet another threat in the form of a pipeline proposed by Enbridge to bring oil sands products through their habitat to the coast.

Oil Sands Tailings Wagging the Dog

Are Seven of Nine Oil Sands Mines Planning to Break the Law?

Published in Troy Media (Dec 10, 2009)

By Terra Simieritsch

Seven out of nine tailings management plans filed with the provincial Energy Resources Conservation Board do not appear to comply with ERCB rules. It is baffling that key players in our largest industry seem to think the rules developed to protect Albertans and the environment do not apply to them.

Ducks Just Tip of Toxic Tailings Iceberg

Published in Metro (Feb 17, 2009)

By Simon Dyer

The recent decision by the governments of Canada and Alberta to charge Syncrude for the death of 500 waterfowl on a tailings pond confirms the seriousness of the environmental challenges facing the oilsands.

Far From Turning the Corner

Canada's Conservative government has substantially shifted its position on climate change, but is its policy response too timid, too complex and likely to be superseded?

Published in Carbon Finance (Jun 20, 2008)

By Matthew Bramley

Canada's Conservative government has come a long way in acknowledging the importance of climate change. But will the government's proposed policies put a meaningful price on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions? And what is the likelihood that those policies will actually be implemented?

Published in Le Devoir (Jun 6, 2008)

By Pembina Institute et al.

Par Marlo Raynolds, Directeur général de l'Institut Pembina et Steven Guilbeault, Cofondateur et coordonnateur général adjoint d'Équiterre

Un sondage réalisé plus tôt cette année par l'Institut Environics révélait que les Canadiens croient que les changements climatiques et la protection de l'environnement constituent l'enjeu planétaire numéro un.

Published Jun 4, 2008

By Pembina Institute et al.

By Steven Guilbeault, Co-founder and Deputy Executive Director of Équiterre and Marlo Raynolds, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute.

While Canadians take pride in having a positive international reputation, this is quickly being tarnished as we become increasingly known for producing "dirty oil" and taking a head-in-the-sand approach to global warming.

Published in The Lethbridge Herald (May 23, 2008)

By Dan Woynillowicz, Simon Dyer

Amidst increasing global scrutiny, the Government of Alberta has launched a 25 million dollar public relations campaign to improve Alberta's growing reputation as a producer of "dirty oil."

Published Dec 5, 2007

By Dan Woynillowicz

There is an old French proverb that translates to, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." With the Alberta government's passing of Bill 46, this proverb rings true through both the hallways of the legislature and the landscapes of rural Alberta.

Published in Calgary Herald (Oct 23, 2007)

By Marlo Raynolds

If Premier Stelmach chooses to implement the Royalty Review Panel's full set of recommendations and delivers Albertans’ their fair share, this is what I think my first son might have to say 23 years from now...

Published Sep 24, 2007

By Amy Taylor, Marlo Raynolds

The Alberta Royalty Review Panel has issued its report and its conclusion is clear: Albertans are losing $2 billion every year because we charge embarrassingly low royalties for the right to develop our resources.

Published in Calgary Herald (Aug 28, 2007), Edmonton Journal (Aug 29, 2007)

By Simon Dyer, Steve Kennett

The conflict between Marie Lake residents and the energy industry sent a chill down the spine of all Alberta landowners. Could we wake up one morning to find oilsands rights had been sold beneath our feet without our knowledge?

Published in Calgary Herald (Jun 12, 2007), Edmonton Journal (Jun 9, 2007)

By Marlo Raynolds

Several prominent environmental scientists are grudgingly contemplating a role for nuclear power in the Alberta electricity system, a testament to just how catastrophic and certain the implications of accelerating global warming are.

How About a Plan for Prosperity?

Getting Oil Sands Development Right

Published in Edmonton Journal (Mar 30, 2007)

By Dan Woynillowicz

With "the price of prosperity" emerging as the dominant theme of Premier Stelmach's first provincial budget, one is left to ponder this apparent contradiction. Are Albertans truly benefiting if this supposed prosperity comes with such a hefty price tag?

Published in Calgary Herald (Jan 30, 2007), Edmonton Journal (Jan 24, 2007)

By Mark S. Winfield, Dan Woynillowicz, Hugh Wilkins

Minister Gary Lunn has become an increasingly vocal promoter of the idea of using nuclear power as an alternative energy source to natural gas for developing Alberta's oil sands.

Published in Calgary Herald (Aug 9, 2006)

By Marlo Raynolds

Marlo Raynolds of The Pembina Institute responds to Ralph Klein's suggestion that Albertans should keep their noses out of the business of running the province and "especially businesses that want to take risks".

Published in Edmonton Journal (Feb 13, 2006)

By Dan Woynillowicz

"America is addicted to oil" said President George Bush in his State of the Union address. But are Canada's oil sands the silver bullet that are going to solve America's oil woes? Not so says Pembina Senior Policy Analyst Dan Woynillowicz...