EDMONTON—Alberta’s new Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean has received marching orders from Premier Danielle Smith instructing him to support further development of the province’s energy resources.
Ms. Smith said that Mr. Jean, cooperating with the minister of intergovernmental relations, should be focused on “defending Alberta’s energy interests against federal overreach and developing strategic alliances with other provinces to deal with energy-related issues.”
“Alberta owns the largest oil and gas deposits in the free world and our energy sector is by far the most environmentally responsible and innovative. How we develop our energy resources, including the pioneering and commercialization of emerging green technologies, will have a significant impact on the direction the global community takes in achieving both meaningful emissions reductions and global energy security,” said Ms. Smith’s letter.
The premier instructed Mr. Jean to review the findings of a panel on Alberta Energy Futures and recommend which of the panel’s strategies should be implemented with an eye to “strengthen Alberta’s global competitiveness in the conventional, non conventional and emerging energy sectors.”
Mr. Jean was also instructed to continue to promote industry and provincial partnerships with indigenous communities, and review policies to meet the province’s goal of increased natural resource production and carbon neutrality by 2050.
The mandate letter also requested more investment in emissions-reduction technologies and increased energy export, as well as the promotion of small and micro modular reactor technologies, with their intended use in oil sands operations and petrochemical production.
The premier asked Mr. Jean to continue to work with ministers of justice and environment to ensure the Canadian Energy Centre meets the government goals of “informing Canadians about the importance of the energy industry and its efforts to protect both Canadian prosperity and Canada’s environment” and “informing the world about the Alberta energy sector’s world-class environmental standards.”
Reduce Emissions
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz also received her mandate letter on July 10, calling on her to make efforts to accelerate technological advances to reduce emissions and protect the province’s land, air, and water.“Alberta is the most responsible energy producer and exporter on Earth. Our industry and government spend billions annually on pioneering and commercializing technologies that are turning our massive oil and gas reserves into a long-term, environmentally sustainable and responsible source of energy for the world,” said the letter from Ms. Smith.
The premier asked Ms. Schulz to work with the federal government, First Nations, and industry to implement an accelerated strategy for oil sands mine water management and tailings pond reclamation.
Ms. Schulz and Mr. Jean will work together to implement an emissions reduction and energy development plan, according to the mandate letter.
The environment minister is also instructed to review the province’s water management strategy to “increase the availability of water and water licences to Alberta municipalities, businesses and agricultural producers while maintaining the highest standards of water conservation and treatment.”
Other instructions include analyzing the province’s carbon sink capacity and establishing new protocols to develop and trade carbon credits.
Ms. Schulz is instructed to promote Alberta’s “leading-edge regulatory and cumulative effects management systems, including climate and environmental policies for air, land, water, biodiversity and waste,” and develop a circular economy for plastics development and recycling.
The premier said she wants the province to be established as a “North American centre of excellence for plastics diversion and recycling.”
Many of the mandates to Ms. Schulz are similar to the ones asked of Mr. Jean, including defending Alberta’s interests and creating job-attracting strategies.
