Comprehensive Regional Infrastructure Sustainability Plan (CRISP)
As oil sands development and populations grow in parts of Alberta, decision-makers need to look long-term to ensure they can continue to build sustainably for the benefit of Albertans.
This requires consultation and planning. CRISPs are long-term, collaborative approaches to planning infrastructure in Alberta's three oil sands areas: Athabasca, Cold Lake and Peace River.
CRISP stands for:
- Comprehensive – Looks at how communities can accommodate growth and cover infrastructure needs including water and wastewater treatment, transportation, schools, health facilities and multi-use corridors.
- Regional – Planning across municipal boundaries and in collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Infrastructure – A specific scope that focuses on infrastructure that is critical to facilitate the development of the oil sands and increasing quality of life in communities, as well as attracting and retaining workers and their families.
- Sustainability – Providing an opportunity to develop infrastructure in a new way that has less impact on the environment, creates vibrant communities and promotes economic opportunities to benefit current and future generations.
- Plan – Providing a set of steps that will guide infrastructure development and keep pace with growth in the area.
The development of CRISPs is led by the Oil Sands Sustainable Development Secretariat of Alberta Energy. A number of key provincial ministries, stakeholder groups, First Nations and Métis have provided key support in the development of these plans.
CRISPs
Will CRISPs identify when the infrastructure will be built?
Each CRISP will identify what infrastructure will be needed based on incremental population growth and oil sands production levels to a maximum of 6 million barrels per day (the estimated amount that potentially could be reached by the year 2045), and will recommend the sequence in which the infrastructure should be developed.
Will CRISPs identify who will pay for the infrastructure?
No they will not. The focus of each CRISP is to identify what infrastructure is required in the future based on anticipated demand rather than on what funding is currently available.
Having a plan in place to foster orderly, efficient and sequential infrastructure development will assist in future funding decisions and establishing regional priority amongst the many provincial priorities. Further work related to developing a wide range of options for infrastructure investment, including alternative funding mechanisms and partnerships between all levels of government and industry, is a priority for CRISP implementation as it is an important component to getting from a good plan to actual building.
How will CRISPs impact oil sands communities?
CRISPs will facilitate the orderly and timely development of infrastructure within and connecting communities across each oil sands area. It will also support municipalities in longer-term planning for future growth and assist in fostering relationships between communities to encourage regional solutions.
How will CRISPs impact industry?
Each CRISP will provide a framework that will assist industry in planning future projects. It will also encourage a more coordinated and planned approach to housing temporary workers, providing transportation to and from project locations, and will assist in developing communities near oil sands projects that will attract and retain individuals, businesses and families.
How do CRISPs link to the Land-use Framework?
Regional plans developed under the Land-use Framework, such as the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan and the Lower Peace Regional Plan, will set the broad vision and objectives for environmental, social and economic aspects of the region. The focus of this regional planning is much broader in scope and is at a much less detailed level than CRISPs, which are specific to infrastructure. There will be alignment between these various levels of planning, particularly in relation to multi-use corridors and areas for future urban expansion. The planning assumptions regarding oil sand production levels for the Athabasca Oil Sands Area and the Cold Lake Oil Sands Area CRISPs are aligned with those in the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan
Terms of Reference.
