News Releases and Backgrounders

Province to propose amendments to electricity bill (November 19, 2009)
Bill 50 amendments focus on public interest, access to cost information and staging
Edmonton... Amendments to Bill 50, the Electric Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, expected to be brought forward this afternoon, will provide clarity on the role of the regulator and the potential timeline of the construction of projects.

Province issues Final RFP to upgrade bitumen royalty-in-kind(October 19, 2009)
Input from industry results in minor changes
Edmonton... Following comments and suggestions made by industry on the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in July, the Province has issued a revised RFP to process up to 75,000 barrels per day of royalty bitumen within Alberta.  “We are confident that implementing Bitumen Royalty-in-kind (BRIK) starting with this RFP will further Alberta’s reputation as a world-class energy centre,” said Energy Minister Mel Knight.

Alberta advances clean coal technology through carbon capture(October 14, 2009)
TransAlta project will capture one-million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year
Edmonton... The Alberta government and TransAlta Corporation are working together to kick-start a leading-edge coal-fired electricity generation plant that will capture and store up to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.  “Perfecting technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity generation will not only have a significant impact in Alberta, but it could help throughout North America and in developing nations like China,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “This project provides an opportunity for Alberta to be a leader in developing game-changing carbon capture technology that could be used around the globe.”

Alberta gets global nod for CO₂ projects (October 14, 2009)
International group recognizes Alberta projects that recovers coalbed methane, stores carbon dioxide
Edmonton...An Alberta project that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) to enhance coalbed methane extraction received an international award from the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) October 13 in London, England.

Alberta moves to forefront in carbon capture and storage (October 8, 2009)
Province secures Letter of Intent for commercial-scale project
Edmonton... The Alberta government has moved onto the global stage with the signing of a Letter of Intent with Shell Canada to implement large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology.  “I am extremely pleased we are on the cusp of getting steel-in-the-ground projects up and running. Not only will they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this project will provide us with information about the technology that will help lower costs over time,” said Energy Minister Mel Knight.

Energy Minister encourages investment in Alberta’s energy sector on visit to Europe (October 5, 2009)
Edmonton... Alberta Energy Minister Mel Knight will meet with European legislators and encourage business leaders to consider increased investment in Alberta’s energy sector during his trip to the England and France October 8 to 17.

2008-09 Ministry Annual Reports released (September 30, 2009)
Edmonton... The 2008-09 Annual Reports, which include an operational overview of each ministry within the Government of Alberta, analysis of results achieved on targets established in business plans and financial statements are now available. Each annual report addresses the legislative requirements of the Government Accountability Act. Ministries are accountable to the Legislative Assembly and the public and must report annually on their performance results relative to their ministry business plans.  2008/2009 Energy Annual Report

Alberta promotes responsible development at Kansas energy conference (September 22, 2009)
Edmonton... Jonathan Denis, MLA for Calgary-Egmont and Alberta Energy’s Parliamentary Assistant, will promote Alberta’s ongoing efforts in environmentally responsible development at the Energy Council’s 2009 Annual Meeting September 24 to 27 in Wichita, Kansas.

Alberta and Texas combine nanotech expertise to advance clean energy efforts(September 21, 2009)
Memorandum of understanding builds on Premier's work with Texas
Edmonton... Two of North America’s leading nanotechnology research centres are combining their expertise to advance work on clean energy development.

Len Webber named new Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations(September 16, 2009)
Premier Ed Stelmach also appoints new Parliamentary Assistants
Edmonton... Premier Ed Stelmach has announced that Calgary-Foothills MLA Len Webber will be sworn in as the new Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations by Lieutenant Governor Norman L. Kwong on Thursday, September 17.   Premier Stelmach also named Calgary-Egmont MLA Jonathan Denis as the new Parliamentary Assistant for Energy.

Government announces new Market Surveillance Administrator (September 16, 2009)
Edmonton... Harry Chandler has been selected as Alberta’s new Market Surveillance Administrator (MSA). The MSA, created in 2003, is responsible for ensuring Alberta’s electricity and natural gas markets operate in a fair, efficient and openly competitive manner.

MLA Mitzel promotes Alberta to key regional partners (September 9, 2009) Edmonton... Len Mitzel, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, will represent Alberta at the 16th Annual Manufacturing and Logistics Symposium, sponsored by the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. The three-day conference will take place in Laredo, Texas, and will focus on issues such as global competitiveness, trade protectionism and border congestion.  “Alberta is an important player in the North American economy,” said Mitzel. "We are recognized as North America’s energy heartland and a gateway to Canada’s Pacific ports. This symposium is a great opportunity to profile Alberta as a secure and environmentally responsible energy producer, and a potential partner for trade and investment.”

Work continues on critical electricity transmission (August 25, 2009)
Energy Minister authorizes companies to begin work on two lines Edmonton... In support of next generation clean energy production and Alberta’s plan to keep the lights on across the province, two experienced electric transmission companies have been granted permission to apply for approval to construct and operate new critical electric transmission lines between Edmonton and Calgary.

Information session on electricity transmission held in Red Deer (August 12, 2009)
Edmonton... Albertans living in Red Deer are invited to attend a public information session on Thursday, August 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to learn more details on Alberta’s electricity system and the plan for transmission line upgrades across the province.  See listing of all sessions 

Emissions from oil sands comparable to other crude oils (July 23, 2009)
Calgary... Two independent studies have found direct emissions from producing, transporting and refining oil sands crude are in the same range as those of the other crudes refined in the United States.
The Life-Cycle Analysis of North American and Imported Crude Oils is based on two independent studies that comprise the first robust comparison of domestic, imported and oil sands crude processes in U.S. refineries. The research, conducted over the past year by U.S.-based consulting companies Jacobs Consultancy and TIAX LLC, was funded by the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI).

Report provides input on carbon capture and storage (July 24, 2009)
The Alberta government has released the final report of the Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council. Its recommendations are designed to be a blueprint for how the province can best implement carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Province issues RFP to upgrade bitumen royalty-in-kind (July 21, 2009)
Initiative will spur new investment in value-added activity
Edmonton... To increase bitumen upgrading capacity, enhance Alberta’s value-added activity and strengthen Alberta’s economy, the Alberta government has issued a Request for Proposals to process a share of royalty bitumen within the province.

Government moves forward on carbon capture projects (June 30, 2009)
Edmonton... The Alberta government has completed its evaluation of projects applying for $2 billion in funding for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
As a result, government officials will pursue letters of intent with proponents of the three following projects:
- Enhance / Northwest for The Alberta Carbon Trunk Line
- EPCOR/Enbridge for an integrated gasification combined-cycle carbon capture power generation
- Shell Canada Energy/ Chevron Canada Ltd./ Marathon Oil Sands L.P. (Scotford Upgrader)

Regulated rate for electricity adjusted July 1 (June 30, 2009)
Month-to-month default rate remains an option for consumers
Edmonton... Alberta’s Regulated Rate Option (RRO) will be adjusted July 1 to better reflect current market prices. The RRO varies month to month and is based on a combination of short and long-term market prices.

Province extends energy incentive programs; moves forward on competitiveness review (June 25, 2009)
Extension timed to support increased drilling activity
Edmonton…The Alberta government will extend two programs announced last March to help keep Albertans working in the province’s energy sector during the current global economic slowdown. The programs will be extended by one year to March 2011.

Final deadline approaches for consumers applying for natural gas rebates (June 12, 2009)
Edmonton... Consumers who use natural gas, propane or home heating oil have until June 30, 2009 to apply for rebates under the 2008/2009 Natural Gas Rebate Program.
Most natural gas consumers have already had their rebates credited to their natural gas bills this past winter heating season.

Alberta's Bitumen Production Forecast To Continue To Grow (June 10, 2009) ERCB release
Alberta expected to produce over 3 million barrels of oil per day by 2018
Calgary, Alberta...  The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) has released its annual report Alberta's Reserves 2008 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2009-2018. Based on the ERCB’s own geological and technical analysis, this report is a source of information on the state of reserves and the supply and demand for Alberta's diverse energy resources: bitumen, crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, coal, and sulphur. It includes estimates of reserves at December 31, 2008 and a 10-year supply/demand forecast for each resource. A supply/demand forecast of electricity in Alberta is also provided. The report also includes historical data for energy resources production.