Published in: Calgary Beacon (Jul 23, 2010), Edmonton Journal (Jul 23, 2010), Troy Media (Jul 23, 2010)

By: Simon Dyer

Ongoing criticism of oilsands development in Alberta is wreaking reputational havoc on our province, culminating in an unfortunate hit to tourism operators with the recent Rethink Alberta campaign. We think a different response could level the criticisms.

We're not alone. U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson challenged industry to "do more to demonstrate how they're meeting the challenges of providing energy security while meeting their obligations of environmental stewardship."

That's not what's happening though. Instead, we're witnessing a self-defeating cycle of ramped up public relations from the Government of Alberta that never truly addresses the substance of the criticisms directed at the province's regulation of the oilsands industry.

Topic Area: Energy Watch, Oil Sands

Published in: Calgary Beacon (Jun 28, 2010), Troy Media (Jun 28, 2010), Edmonton Journal (Jun 30, 2010), The Star-Phoenix (Jul 9, 2010)

By: Simon Dyer

It's been more than two months now that oil from BP's blown out Deepwater Horizon rig has been gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. A man-made disaster of epic proportions, some people are now claiming that it makes Alberta's landlocked oilsands look safe in comparison. In fact, that statement couldn't be further from the truth.

Topic Area: Energy Watch, Oil Sands

Published in: Troy Media (May 2, 2010), Victoria Times-Colonist (May 5, 2010), Trail Daily Times (May 6, 2010), Winnipeg Free Press (May 6, 2010), The Vancouver Sun (May 7, 2010)

By: Karen Campbell

As oil gushes into the Gulf of Mexico, the consequences of a spill from the proposed Enbridge oilsands pipeline and related tanker traffic are all the more real.

Topic Area: Oil Sands

Published in: Edmonton Journal (Apr 20, 2010), NewsNorth (May 25, 2010)

By: Jennifer Grant

Alberta isn't alone in its lack of a plan for resource development. The Northwest Territories is currently at its very own crossroads in deciding the pace and scale of development it will allow on its largely untouched landscape.

Topic Area: Energy Watch

Published in: Edmonton Journal (Mar 19, 2010), Calgary Herald (Mar 20, 2010)

By: Simon Dyer

There are no toxic tailings lakes, dead ducks, heavy-hauler trucks or strip mines visible from space: there's none of that associated with in situ oilsands development. So, as industry tells us, in situ oilsands development is nothing to worry about, right? Not quite, according to a new report evaluating in situ oilsands' real impacts.

Topic Area: Oil Sands

Published in: Edmonton Journal (Feb 8, 2010), Guelph Mercury (Feb 9, 2010), Waterloo Region Record (Feb 9, 2010)

By: Marlo Raynolds

Marlo Raynolds argues that the real challenge for Canada's Prime Minister is whether he is able to create a made-in-Canada climate plan — or leave it to American lawmakers to decide our climate and, therefore, economic policy.

Topic Area: Oil Sands

Published in: Prince Rupert Daily News (Dec 1, 2009)

By: Greg Brown

Wild salmon are in trouble in British Columbia, and they face yet another threat in the form of a pipeline proposed by Enbridge to bring oil sands products through their habitat to the coast.

Topic Area: Oil Sands

Published in: Edmonton Journal (Dec 16, 2009)

By: Daniel T'seleie

Climate change is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced and yet to most Canadians the current and potential impacts feel far away. What many Canadians don't realize is that climate change is having a large impact in Canada right now. I am a Dene youth from the small town of Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories. I am attending the UN Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen to communicate the concerns that my family, my people, and my culture are confronted with every single day.

Topic Area: Energy Watch

Published in: Troy Media (Dec 10, 2009)

By: Terra Simieritsch

Seven out of nine tailings management plans filed with the provincial Energy Resources Conservation Board do not appear to comply with ERCB rules. It is baffling that key players in our largest industry seem to think the rules developed to protect Albertans and the environment do not apply to them.

Topic Area: Athabasca River, Oil Sands

Published: Apr 9, 2009

By: Steve Kennett

Alberta's recently released Nuclear Power Expert Panel report calls for a "debate" of the "relative risks/benefits (of nuclear energy) compared with alternatives." But the panel views nuclear energy through an uncritical lens and offers only a cursory and selective overview of the burgeoning array of green options already being deployed... 

Topic Area: Energy Watch

Published in: Metro (Feb 17, 2009)

By: Simon Dyer

The recent decision by the governments of Canada and Alberta to charge Syncrude for the death of 500 waterfowl on a tailings pond confirms the seriousness of the environmental challenges facing the oilsands.

Topic Area: Oil Sands