Natural gas price triggers rebate for October (October 2, 2008)
Albertans will receive $1.50/GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans will save approximately $14 on their October gas bill, thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate program.
Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas companies charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ. Most residential consumers will have the rebate applied directly to their monthly gas bill. Large scale commercial or industrial consumers, select agricultural producers, and those who heat their homes with other fuels need to apply for rebates.

Bio-fuels, better partnership with agriculture highlight Energy Council Annual Meeting (September 23, 2008)
Energy Minister Knight will lead Alberta delegation
Edmonton... Promoting Alberta’s responsible, resourceful approach to energy development will be Energy Minister Mel Knight’s focus as he leads Alberta’s delegation to the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Energy Council. The meeting, being held in Oklahoma City from September 25 to 28, will include energy representatives from Canada and the United States.

Progress continues on coalbed methane recommendations (July 5, 2008)
Edmonton... The Alberta government continues to make progress on the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations. Of the 42 accepted recommendations, 41 are either in progress or completed.
“Coalbed methane and other unconventional gas resources represent the future of Alberta’s natural gas industry,” said Mel Knight, Minister of Energy. “Implementing these recommendations will help ensure this resource is developed responsibly.” MAC II Report

Alberta surges ahead with climate change action plan (July 8, 2008)
$2 billion invested in carbon capture and storage; $2 billion in public transit
Calgary... The Alberta government is surging ahead on its climate change action plan with two new funds totaling $4 billion to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equal to taking more than a million cars off the road each year. 
The province will create a $2-billion fund to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects while a second $2-billion fund will propel energy-saving public transit in Alberta.

Energy Minister to showcase Alberta’s commitment to responsible energy development at World Petroleum Congress in Spain (June 23, 2008)
Minister will also speak to investors in London, England
Edmonton… Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight will highlight Alberta’s work to ensure the sustainable development of our resources at the World Petroleum Congress June 29 – July 3 in Madrid, Spain. Knight will present a keynote address at the congress on July 3 and will also travel to London, England to speak to the business community at the Canada-U.K. Chamber of Commerce on July 7.

Energy Minister travels to U.S. Midwest to speak about oil sands (June 16, 2008)
Minister to affirm Alberta’s position as a secure, responsible supplier of energy
Edmonton… Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight will meet with business leaders June 19 and 20 in Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin to discuss Alberta’s role and responsibilities as an emerging global energy leader.

Energy industry shares strategies for efficiency and reduced emissions (May 30, 2008)
Calgary…The Alberta government is partnering with the energy industry to promote best ways to reduce energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions during oil and gas extraction. 
Called the Fuel Gas Best Management Practices, the initiative will help reduce the amount of natural gas used in energy resource extraction. In turn, it will also decrease greenhouse gas emissions by the industry, and prolong the production life of Alberta’s natural gas reserves.

Parliamentary Assistant, MLA Len Webber attending North American energy and environment conference (May 29, 2008)
Edmonton... Len Webber, MLA for Calgary-Foothills and Alberta Energy’s Parliamentary Assistant will represent the Government of Alberta at the 2008 State and Provincial Trends in Energy and the Environment Conference June 5th to 8th in Hoover, Alabama. The conference, which will include energy and environment representatives from across Canada and the United States, is hosted by The Energy Council.

Council to help develop Alberta’s path forward on carbon capture (April 24, 2008)
Work to help industry remain competitive and deliver results on climate change
Edmonton…Alberta is moving closer to making Canada’s largest contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by launching a council that will develop a roadmap for implementing carbon capture and storage.

Expert panel to develop comprehensive research paper on nuclear power (April 23, 2008) 
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta has appointed an expert panel to prepare a comprehensive and objective report on nuclear energy.  By fully examining the environmental, safety and numerous other issues related to nuclear-generated electricity, the panel’s report will provide the basis for future public discussions. 
Ministerial Order, Nuclear Power Expert Panel

New deep resource programs promote high-cost oil and gas development (April 10, 2008) 
Announcement follows analysis of New Royalty Framework unintended consequences
Calgary... The Government of Alberta has introduced two new royalty programs designed to encourage the continued development of deep, high-cost oil and gas reserves. The resulting exploration and development are expected to generate additional jobs and royalty revenues for Albertans.

Province to improve royalty system evaluation and public reporting (April 7, 2008)
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta will implement 13 recommendations to enhance how the performance of the royalty regime is measured and how that performance is reported back to Albertans. 
The recommendations were included by former provincial Auditor General Peter Valentine in his report Building Confidence: Improving Accountability and Transparency in Alberta’s Royalty System.

Bioenergy grants continue to build a greener energy industry (April 4, 2008)
Edmonton… To encourage the further expansion of Alberta’s renewable energy sector, the Government of Alberta has invested more than $17 million in grants to bioenergy projects located throughout the province.  Fifteen companies will receive the grants—ranging from $18,500 to $5 million—to help fund new facilities and research to strengthen the bioenergy industry.

Research project to capture valuable minerals from oil sands tailings and reduce emissions intensity (March 28, 2008)
Edmonton… An abundance of manufactured products including ceramic tiles and kitchenware, consumer electronics, medical appliances and paints may in the future include minerals extracted from oil sands tailings thanks to a $3.5-million grant from Alberta Energy to Titanium Corporation Inc. The company will research the value-added opportunities and environmental benefits of stripping out hydrocarbons and heavy minerals from oil sands tailings streams. Funding for this two-year project is being provided through Alberta’s Energy Innovation Fund.

Cold weather boosts natural gas rebate (March 4, 2008) 
Rebate of $3.25/GJ approved for March
Edmonton... Colder weather across North America has increased demand for natural gas and cut sharply into storage inventories, boosting natural gas prices to their highest point this winter. To help offset increased heating costs, Albertans will receive a $3.25 per gigajoule (GJ) natural gas rebate for the month of March. The rebate will save the average Albertan household approximately $52 on their March natural gas bill.

Colder weather increases natural gas rebate (February 1, 2008)
Rebate of $2.50/GJ approved for February
Edmonton... With the mercury dropping to colder temperatures, Albertans will receive a $2.50 per gigajoule (GJ) natural gas rebate for the month of February.  The rebate will save the average Albertan household approximately $45 on their February natural gas bill.

Province gives Albertans a green choice in managing electricity needs (February 1, 2008)
Micro-generation regulation promotes renewable and alternative energy
Edmonton... Albertans now have even more options to manage their electricity needs thanks to the province’s new micro-generation regulation.  This innovative policy was implemented this week and will allow Albertans to generate their own environmentally friendly electricity and receive credit for any power they don’t use and send into the electricity grid.

Governments of Canada and Alberta release Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force report (January 31, 2008)
Ottawa/Edmonton — The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Mel Knight, Alberta Minister of Energy, today released the final report of the Canada–Alberta ecoENERGY Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force. The report, entitled Canada’s Fossil Energy Future: The Way Forward on Carbon Capture and Storage, provides advice on how governments and industry can work together to facilitate and support the development of carbon capture and storage opportunities in Canada.
Canada's Fossil Energy Future

Suncor to pay up to 20% more royalties under new agreement (January 29, 2008)
Negotiations continue with Syncrude Canada
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta and Suncor Energy Inc. have reached an agreement that will see the company pay increased royalties starting in 2010—a full six years before its existing Crown agreement was scheduled to expire.

Alberta to cut projected emissions by 50% under climate change plan (January 24, 2008)
Carbon capture and storage, energy conservation and efficiency, and greening energy production are keys to 200-megatonne reduction
Edmonton... Alberta will cut projected greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050 as part of a long-term climate change plan that focuses on carbon capture and storage, consumer incentives and greener energy production.

Energy Minister showcases Alberta’s resources in the U.K. (January 10, 2008)
Edmonton... Alberta’s energy resources and investment opportunities are the focus of Energy Minister Mel Knight’s trip to London, England. 
Knight will highlight Alberta’s oil sands at the London Oil Sands Forum 2008 to an audience of industry representatives and investors and will speak to the corporate community at a Canada-United Kingdom Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Knight will also meet with government officials, investment firms and energy and utility industry representatives.

Grant funding creates bio-energy hub in Central Alberta (January 2, 2008)
Edmonton… Over a half million dollars in provincial grants have been approved for three bio-energy projects in Central Alberta.  The projects, located in Red Deer, Ponoka and Bentley, will explore the business potential for new facilities and expand the capacity of current ones.  Combined, the three projects represent up to $108 million of new investment in the province.

2008 begins with natural gas rebate for Albertans (December 31, 2007)
Rebate of $1.50/GJ triggered for January
Edmonton... Albertans will start the year with a $1.50 per gigajoule (GJ) rebate, saving the average Alberta household approximately $35 on their January natural gas bill. January marks the second consecutive month that Albertans have received a natural gas rebate through the Natural Gas Rebate Program.

Province announces chairs of Alberta’s new energy regulators (December 19, 2007)
Edmonton...The provincial government has appointed the chairs of Alberta’s new Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) and Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)—the regulatory bodies that will replace the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB).

Planning for major biodiesel facility near Vegreville underway  (December 7, 2007)
Vegreville… A provincial grant will assist in the development of a feasibility study for a proposed $65-million bio-energy facility near Vegreville.  More than $263,000 in grant funding has been approved to examine the business potential of a canola crush and bio-diesel business development project.

Provincial dollars help convert waste into watts  (December 5, 2007)
Fort McMurray... Austrian technology will find a new home in the Fort McMurray region converting forestry wood waste into a valuable energy source, thanks in part to $2 million in government funding. The project, a $16-million project from Northland Forest Products Ltd., will divert wood waste in the region to create a new value-added opportunity from forestry bio-mass.

Provincial bio-energy grant spurs growth near Lethbridge  (December 3, 2007)
Lethbridge... A bio-gas development near Lethbridge that will turn organic waste to energy products has been approved for $1.5 million in provincial grant funding. The facility will use local livestock manure and food processing waste as feedstock, creating an innovative value-added opportunity in the community.

Natural gas rebate triggered for December (November 30, 2007)
Albertans receive $1.50/GJ rebate
Edmonton... Albertans can expect to see a rebate of $1.50 per gigajoule (GJ) on their December natural gas bills, as temperatures have dropped and driven natural gas prices upwards. The Natural Gas Rebate Program will save the average Alberta household around $33 on their December natural gas bill.

Province amends utilities bill to answer Albertans' concerns  (November 27, 2007)
Bill 46 ensures landowners will have their say at hearings
Edmonton.... Two key amendments to Bill 46, the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, will answer Albertans’ concerns about landowner participation in utility hearings and allow third parties to apply for funding when they intervene.

Bio-energy grant helps turn waste to wealth  (November 26, 2007)
Edmonton… A new wood waste gasification facility, featuring cutting-edge German technology, has been approved for $5 million in government funding under the province’s bio-energy strategy.  The $70-million project will divert forestry and municipal wood waste from land fills in the Edmonton region to create a new value-added opportunity from forestry biomass.

Provincial bio-energy grant spurs growth in Rimbey (November 23, 2007)
Rimbey… The Rimbey Biofuel Project, a community-based plan to construct a $30 million agricultural waste gasification plant, will receive more than $400,000 in support from the Alberta government as part of the province’s ongoing commitment to alternative and renewable energy sources.

Provincial bio-energy grant spurs growth in the County of Stettler (November 21, 2007)
Stettler… More than $137,000 in grant funding has been approved for an electricity-from-biomass project in the County of Stettler. The project will investigate the potential to reduce waste management costs by creating green energy products from waste, as well as diversifying and increasing the county revenue.

Provincial bio-energy grant spurs growth near Hairy Hill (November 16, 2007)
Hairy Hill… Almost $4 million in provincial grant funding will help develop the Growing Power Hairy Hill integrated bio-refinery in northeast Alberta. This project is expected to bring significant investment to the area, building on the local livestock sector and generating new value-added opportunities by adding new ethanol production capability to the existing facility.

Province supports new projects to study innovative energy development (November 13, 2007)
Edmonton…Two new and innovative projects that will explore environmentally sustainable ways to recover previously untapped energy resources have been given the green light thanks to an investment by the Alberta government.
The projects focus on developing new energy supplies from existing oil and bitumen deposits. The projects will receive royalty adjustments totaling about $16.5 million under Alberta Energy’s Innovative Energy Technologies Program (IETP).

Natural gas rebate not triggered for November (October 31, 2007)
Continued high natural gas storage levels keep prices low
Edmonton... Continued low natural gas prices caused by record-high natural gas storage levels in the United States and mild autumn weather have kept prices below the natural gas rebate threshold. Rebates are triggered when two of the three regulated natural gas providers charge regulated rates above $5.50/GJ. This month, two of the three providers are charging rates below that level.

Energy Minister takes new royalty framework to U.S. investors (October 26, 2007)
Edmonton... Investment opportunities and continued security of supply to our principal export market under Alberta’s new energy royalty regime is the focus of Energy Minister Mel Knight’s trip to Washington, New York, Boston and Chicago from October 28th to November 4th. 

Premier Stelmach delivers historic, new royalty regime for Alberta (October 25, 2007)
New Royalty Framework gives Albertans their fair share; supports sustainable, vigorous energy sector
Calgary... Albertans will receive their fair share from the development of the province’s non-renewable energy resources under a new royalty regime that also supports a robust, sustainable energy sector. Premier Ed Stelmach outlined his government’s plan that will see Albertans benefit from increased royalties generated by an internationally competitive energy industry.

Provincial bio-energy grant spurs growth near Falher (October 19, 2007)
Falher… The Smoky Pork Development Ltd. plant near Falher will receive more than $900,000 in support from the Government of Alberta as part of the province’s ongoing commitment to alternative and renewable energy sources.

Provincial bio-energy grant spurs growth in Fort Saskatchewan (October 15, 2007)
Fort Saskatchewan… More than $4 million has been approved for Canadian Bioenergy Corporation biodiesel plant in Fort Saskatchewan. This plant will be one of the largest biodiesel plants to be constructed in Western Canada and will provide feedstock opportunities for rural Alberta and the agricultural industry.

High natural gas inventories keep prices low  Prices below rebate threshold  (October 1, 2007)
Edmonton... The first winter month of the 2007/08 Natural Gas Rebate Program sees Albertans enjoying relatively low natural gas prices caused by near-record high storage levels.  As a result, the natural gas rebate will not be issued in October. 

Province's annual reports highlight accomplishments of 2006-07  Reduced taxes, unprecedented capital investment among highlights (September 27, 2007) 
Edmonton... Tax reductions, unprecedented investment in infrastructure, introduction of the first greenhouse gas legislation in Canada, and creation of a cancer prevention legacy fund are among the many government accomplishments highlighted in the 2006-07 ministry annual reports. Department of Energy Annual Reports

Alberta government unleashes province's wind power  (September 26, 2007)
Calgary... Alberta’s wind producers received a major boost from the provincial government with the removal of the 900 MW threshold on wind power generation. 
“This government supports the development of renewable and alternative energy sources and through this action, Alberta will continue to lead the nation in clean, sustainable wind-generated electricity,” said Energy Minister Mel Knight. “This important step is significant given the unique challenges in managing wind integration in Alberta.”

Province to capture feedback on royalty recommendations  Government also hearing from industry as part of thorough analysis (September 25, 2007)
Edmonton... To capture all the feedback on the royalty review recommendations, the Alberta government has set up a special website for Albertans to send in their comments.  “The decision on the royalty report will affect Alberta and our energy sector for decades to come,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “While the formal consultation is over, we have not stopped listening. We want to make sure that people who have comments send them to the right place so we can consider this input as part of the review process.”

Royalty Review Panel final report released to public
Government to respond by mid-October (September 18, 2007)
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta has publicly released the final report of an expert panel asked to examine the province’s energy royalty and tax regime, following through on a commitment to make the royalty review process open and transparent.  Entitled Our Fair Share, the 104-page report provides recommendations about how the government can modify the existing provincial royalty structure.

New Chair of the EUB appointed to implement changes Goverment accepts recomendations in reports on EUB security (September 17th)
Edmonton...The provincial government has taken definitive action to restore Albertans’ confidence in its energy regulator, the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB).  Dr. William Tilleman will be appointed as the new EUB chair and he has been directed to implement all recommendations made in two separate reports on EUB security measures at a transmission line hearing earlier this year.
 

Provincial program to boost bio-energy production in Alberta (July 31, 2007)
Edmonton... The production of clean, renewable energy will receive a major boost over the next four years, thanks to support from the provincial government. The $209-million Bio-Energy Producer Credit Program will encourage further investment in the province’s emerging bio-energy industry through financial incentives for producers, while advancing new markets for agricultural and forestry products.

Alberta to talk energy and trade at meetings in China (July 25, 2007)
Edmonton... Alberta will discuss its energy resources and experience with Chinese experts at the Energy Council’s China North American Energy Dialogue meeting in Beijing, China from July 27 to August 3. Frank Oberle, MLA for Peace River, joins energy representatives from across North America and China to highlight each region’s energy interests, including resources, production levels and infrastructure.

Final oil sands reports set a framework for the future (July 25, 2007)
Edmonton... Setting out a vision and identifying principles to guide the future development of Alberta’s oil sands are highlighted in the Oil Sands Consultations Multistakeholder Committee (MSC) Final Report and the Aboriginal Consultation Final Report.

Province to increase value-added development through ethane extraction policy (July 11, 2007)
Calgary…The Alberta petrochemical industry is poised to increase production following the implementation of the Incremental Ethane Extraction Policy (IEEP). On July 10, Cabinet approved the details of the policy, which will provide incentives for value-added production and the use of ethane in the province.

Energy sector teams up to tackle labour challenges (July 10, 2007)
Calgary... Alberta's energy associations and employers are taking action to address labour shortages with the release of A Workforce Strategy for Alberta's Energy Sector which contains 46 new actions for recruiting, retaining, and developing the workforce.

Knight announces independent review of EUB security measures (July 9, 2007)
Edmonton... As directed by Premier Ed Stelmach, Energy Minister Mel Knight has ordered an independent, external review of the security measures taken by the Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) at a transmission line hearing in Rimbey. 

Rebate application deadline for propane, heating oil and kerosene extended to July 31 
(July 5, 2007)
Edmonton... Consumers of propane, home heating oil and kerosene now have until July 31 to apply for rebates under the 2006-2007 Natural Gas Rebate Program.

Energy Minister represents Alberta at Energy Council Conference (June 26, 2007)
Edmonton... Energy Minister Mel Knight will be an ambassador for Alberta’s energy potential and expertise at the Energy Council Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana from June 28 – July 1, 2007. Knight will join representatives from across North America and around the world to share best practices and ideas concerning the energy industry.

Coalbed methane recommendations ahead of schedule (June 25, 2007)
Edmonton… The Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) has released the first of its annual progress reports on recommendations made to the Alberta government to help ensure the safe and responsible development of coalbed methane in the province.

Deadline approaches for consumers applying for natural gas rebates (June 18, 2007)
Edmonton... Natural gas, propane and home heating oil consumers have until June 30 to apply for rebates under the 2006-2007 Natural Gas Rebate Program. Propane, heating oil and agriculture consumers among those required to apply.

New bill to enhance Alberta’s energy regulatory structure (June 14, 2007)
Edmonton... The province has introduced legislation to promote efficiency in Alberta’s energy regulatory system. Bill 46, the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, will separate the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) into two separate regulatory bodies — a new Energy Resources Conservation Board and the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Energy Minister travels to Houston to promote Alberta as a secure energy supplier and investment opportunity (April 18, 2007)
Edmonton… Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight will be in Houston, Texas April 23 to promote investment opportunities in Alberta's energy sector and view leading-edge technology that will be used in the province's resource development.

Grants to spur bio-energy development in Alberta (April 12, 2007)
Edmonton… Fourteen renewable energy projects will receive grant funding from the Alberta government to support the development and expansion of bio-energy facilities and technology.  The grant recipients will receive a total of $5 million in the first phase of funding.

Second Phase of Oil Sands Consultations Scheduled for Eight Communities (March 22, 2007)
Edmonton... A Multistakeholder Committee is moving ahead with the second phase of consultations to hear from Albertans on oil sands development. Slated to begin March 28, the Oil Sands Multistakeholder Committee (MSC) will again travel throughout the province to share the findings gathered in the Phase I Interim Report and garner additional feedback from Albertans.

Province supports three innovative energy projects (March 20, 2007)
Edmonton… Three innovative energy projects may generate new ways to recover previously untapped energy resources, thanks to support from the Alberta government.

MLA Frank Oberle represents Alberta at Energy and Environmental Matters Conference (March 8, 2007)
Edmonton...Frank Oberle, MLA for Peace River will represent the Government of Alberta at the 2007 Energy Council Federal Energy and Environmental Matters Conference in Washington D.C. March 8-11, 2007.

Cooler temperatures trigger higher rebates in March (March 1, 2007)
$3.25 per gigajoule rebate provided on natural gas bills this month
Edmonton...Residential consumers in Alberta will save an average of $52 on their natural gas bills in March thanks to Alberta's Natural Gas Rebate Program. More than one million homes and businesses will receive the automatic rebate in March.

Albertans receive natural gas rebates in February (February 1, 2007)
$1.50 per gigajoule rebate triggered on natural gas bills this month
Edmonton...More than one million Alberta homes and businesses will receive an automatic rebate of $1.50 per gigajoule (GJ) on their February natural gas bills. This will save the average Alberta residential consumer around $27 this month thanks to the Natural Gas Rebate Program.

Interim oil sands consultation report outlines vision for development  (January 25, 2007)
Further feedback sought from Albertans
Edmonton... Following consultations with the public, a multistakeholder committee (MSC) has developed an interim report, which identifies a vision and principles for the future of oil sands development in Alberta.

Archival Copies of News Releases