EJQ2 - Fall 2024 - Journal - Page 39
new innovation, but most government programs are structured in such a
way that requires oil sands operators’ commitment before they are able to
commit to funding the implementation of this technology.
So, the solutions exist, but they’re stuck in a conundrum. For Dubey and
others in the industry who are trying to provide solutions it’s a frustrating
situation.
Government incentives and proper regulations are key, according to Dubey.
All they need at this point is one oil sands operator to partner with them,
and if an oil sands operator is incentivized to take the risk of implementing
new technology, they’ll be more willing to put in the capital required to get
the technology on their site. Then, the remaining operators will be more
likely to follow.
“From a regulatory perspective, we haven’t seen the changes required that
would motivate industry to get rid of the root cause of the problem. We’re
instead depending on good behaviour by the operators to solve the problem
versus having stringent regulations and 昀椀nancial commitments in place
that require them to spend the capital and invest in technology,” explained
Dubey.
Contaminated sites conundrum
Some point to a 昀氀exible regulatory environment. According to Alberta’s Directive
085: Fluid Tailings Management for Oil Sands Mining Projects, the Alberta
Energy Regulator must review tailings management plans every 昀椀ve years to
ensure they re昀氀ect current technology and improvements. But the 昀氀exibility of
this directive enables the industry to repeatedly give the answer that the problem
is being studied and there are no solutions yet ready to be implemented.
So it seems if Canadians want better for the environment, the wildlife, and the
health and safety of communities near tailings ponds, the way forward will require incentivizing the solutions that exist and implementing more stringent
regulations that will prioritize remediation while maintaining the industry’s
economic promise.
Canada has the opportunity to become a champion of sustainability in the oil
sands—but the solution must be a collaboration of both the government and oil
sands operators.
Lauren Belayneh is a content editor with Actual Media Inc.,
the parent company of Environment Journal.
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