Alberta Energy Regulator Directors Get Down to Business With First Meeting

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - June 18, 2013) - The board of directors of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) met Monday for the first time to ensure that Alberta's energy resources continue to be developed in a safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible manner.

The AER officially became Alberta's primary regulator of oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal after the Government of Alberta's proclamation of the Responsible Energy Development Act earlier in the day.

"The Alberta Energy Regulator is overseen by a corporate-style board under an entirely new governance structure," AER Chair Gerry Protti said. "This structure will help us balance strong corporate oversight while ensuring independent adjudication of energy applications through the hearing process."

The directors began their work by adopting corporate bylaws and conducting a number of items of business, including creating Audit and Finance, Human Resources and Compensation, Governance, and Regulatory Review committees to set the groundwork for the corporate governance of the new single regulator. The AER also authorized staff to continue to issue approvals and authorizations under the Responsible Energy Development Act and other provincial energy statutes administered by the AER to ensure the seamless continuance of processes such as receiving, reviewing, and processing thousands of energy applications each month and inspecting and enforcing regulatory requirements. The directors also established corporate signing authorities and adopted Directive 031: REDA Energy Cost Claims, which outlines how hearing participants submit cost claims to the AER following conclusion of regulatory hearings.

"These steps create crucial foundational items to the Alberta Energy Regulator," Protti said. "With a solid organizational base, the AER is ensuring Alberta's energy resources are developed according to designated rules."

CEO Jim Ellis outlined how the AER executive team will implement plans to ensure that the AER meets the performance metrics set by the board of directors. Ellis also highlighted a number of operational procedures that will be changed to reflect the new direction of the Alberta Energy Regulator.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

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The board of directors of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) met yesterday for the first time to ensure that Alberta's energy resources continue to be developed in a safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible manner. The board adopted corporate bylaws, set up a number of committees, adopted signing authorities, delegated decision- making authorities under the various energy resource statutes administered by the AER, and dealt with other matters to ensure the continued processing of energy applications and inspection and enforcement activities.