It is certainly refreshing to have an energy regulator be transparent and stand up for the people it is meant to represent.
Last week, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), withdrew an application it had made to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) after receiving notice the application to resume steaming operations in the “restricted zone” Primrose project would be denied.
The regulator determined it was premature to begin a steaming process in the vicinity of an ongoing investigation into multiple ongoing leaks at CNRL's Primrose site.
Not only did the regulator do its job in essentially denying the application, but it also carried out its social responsibility by releasing the information to the public.
Though it is not perfect, the AER, in succeeding the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB), has appeared to be increasingly transparent and open in regards to its regulatory activities.
Albertans and Canadians need independent, publicly accountable energy regulators to hold industry and government in check.
And this situation proves just that. Despite restrictions placed upon it and bitumen still leaking to the surface more than nine months after the first leak was reported, CNRL sought to continue the process that possibly led to the leaks in order to continue to profit and benefit shareholders, while the public is left wondering whether the leaks can even be fixed.
Without a publicly accountable regulator, one has to wonder what the state of Alberta would be if left up to industry.
