PSSG: Session Round 1 - Grande Prairie

Location:

Grande Prairie

Date:

June 24, 2000

Committee Reps:

Gerry Desorcy
Paul Jackson
Brent Friesen
Frank George
Kevin McLeod
Judith Bugg
Brian Winter

Number of Participants:

17*

Other Locations:

June 8 Millarville
June 8 Vulcan
June 9 Pincher Creek
June 19 Red Deer
June 20 Drayton Valley
June 21 Rocky Mtn. House
June 22 Sundre
June 24 Grande Prairie
June 26 Edson
June 27 Hinton
June 28 Leduc
June 29 Calgary

Summary Aboriginal

Summary Response Forms

Summary Written Forms

Session Overview:

The Discussion Session in Grande Prairie was successful with a number of participants commenting on the effectiveness of the consultation format. Key and consistent issues presented by the participants included: (1) the need for the EUB to conduct more monitoring, develop stricter regulations and enforce regulations more rigorously; (2) concerns related to flaring and the need to explore alternatives to flaring; (3) issues related to setback distances; and, (4) the need for enhanced public knowledge and awareness related to sour gas.

Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction

Some of the participants at the Grande Prairie session suggested that the EUB's policies and decisions are too influenced by the Provincial government, the energy industry and, as such, favor economic considerations rather than the public.

A few individuals indicated that because the EUB, AB Environment and Health Regions each have separate jurisdictions that are all related to sour gas and public health and safety, they should be better coordinated.

The need for more EUB staff was cited as an issue by a few participants. It was suggested that the EUB staff is currently overloaded and as a result response time is slow.

A few individuals suggested that the existing hearing process is intimidating and expensive for the public and as a result, some members of the public do not voice their issues.

The issue of proliferation was identified as a concern by a few participants. It was suggested that there should be fewer wells and that there should be fewer and larger plants.

Some participants indicated that the EUB should conduct more monitoring. Specific references were made regarding more effective monitoring of night flaring, monitoring during a variety of climatic conditions and more monitoring of abandoned and older sites. One individual suggested that if the EUB was unable to monitor effectively then a separate entity specifically for monitoring should be established.

Some of the Grande Prairie participants believe that EUB regulations should be stricter and that the regulations should be more consistently and effectively enforced. One individual indicated that stricter regulations are required to ensure that companies are meeting safety standards.

Some participants expressed concerns related to flaring and suggested that alternatives to flaring (primarily incineration) should be implemented.

Event Consequence Management

A few participants in Grande Prairie mentioned the rising rate of asthma among children in the area as a concern and expressed a desire for the link between sour gas emissions and human health to be explored further. One individual indicated that because of the lack of understanding about the health impacts of sour gas emissions, medical professionals were not addressing potentially related health issues adequately.

One participant suggested that sour gas emissions are negatively influencing the health of his cattle and that they are exhibiting symptoms such as coughs and runny eyes and noses.

A few individuals indicated that testing of environmental quality (air and water) should be more extensive, specifically in environmentally sensitive areas, and that the approach used for testing should be consistent throughout the province.

Some of the participants in Grande Prairie suggested that setback distances are not large enough, indicating that the existing approach to establishing setback distances is arbitrary. It was suggested that setback distances should consider climatic conditions, water sources and adjacent landowner topography. A few individuals from the session believe that setbacks as they are create too much sterile land and suggested that corridors would be a better option.

It was suggested by a few participants that delineation of EPZs should not be based on an arbitrary radius or artificial lines.

A variety of suggestions were made for improving the effectiveness of ERPs. These included: involving the public more in the planning process, considering animals in the plans, more training for volunteer police and fire, having the Health Regions more involved with the ERP process and more education and information for company employees and members of the public about the ERP.

A few participants believe that the existing approach to providing the public with information about ERP serves to increase resident's anxiety.

The lack of technical information about the health risks (human, animal and community) associated with sour gas was cited as a problem by a few participants in Grande Prairie. One individual stated that the notion of long term research in the context of risk assessments is artificial because the issue has not been researched over the long term.

Communication and Compensation

A few of the participants mentioned challenges related to communication between the public and some of the energy companies. These individuals indicated that some of the companies in the area take advantage of people, 'put them off', and do not respond to their concerns adequately. It was suggested that communications could be improved if there was a better flow of information.

One participant stated that some companies in the area are making an attempt to make the initial contact with the public more positive and to maintain communication throughout the process. Another said that communication with industry has improved significantly over the past few years.

Some of the participants indicated that overall public knowledge and awareness about sour gas requires improvement. The publics' role in decision making, and the relationship of sour gas to public health were specifically mentioned as topic areas that require enhanced public knowledge and awareness. Suggestions for improving public knowledge and awareness included: more and regular open houses and industry events, more media involvement and school based education.

One individual suggested that the RHA and the MD should be more involved and become sources of information.

A few participants believe that research should be made more accessible to the public.

* Several participants indicated that they were acting as representatives for larger groups and/or organizations.

	Location:	Grande Prairie
	Date:	June 24, 2000
	Committee Reps:	Gerry Desorcy Paul Jackson Brent Friesen Frank George Kevin McLeod Judith Bugg Brian Winter
	Number of Participants:	17*
Other Locations: June 8 Millarville June 8 Vulcan June 9 Pincher Creek June 19 Red Deer June 20 Drayton Valley June 21 Rocky Mtn. House June 22 Sundre June 24 Grande Prairie June 26 Edson June 27 Hinton June 28 Leduc June 29 Calgary Summary Aboriginal Summary Response Forms Summary Written Forms	Session Overview: The Discussion Session in Grande Prairie was successful with a number of participants commenting on the effectiveness of the consultation format. Key and consistent issues presented by the participants included: (1) the need for the EUB to conduct more monitoring, develop stricter regulations and enforce regulations more rigorously; (2) concerns related to flaring and the need to explore alternatives to flaring; (3) issues related to setback distances; and, (4) the need for enhanced public knowledge and awareness related to sour gas. Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction Some of the participants at the Grande Prairie session suggested that the EUB's policies and decisions are too influenced by the Provincial government, the energy industry and, as such, favor economic considerations rather than the public. A few individuals indicated that because the EUB, AB Environment and Health Regions each have separate jurisdictions that are all related to sour gas and public health and safety, they should be better coordinated. The need for more EUB staff was cited as an issue by a few participants. It was suggested that the EUB staff is currently overloaded and as a result response time is slow. A few individuals suggested that the existing hearing process is intimidating and expensive for the public and as a result, some members of the public do not voice their issues. The issue of proliferation was identified as a concern by a few participants. It was suggested that there should be fewer wells and that there should be fewer and larger plants. Some participants indicated that the EUB should conduct more monitoring. Specific references were made regarding more effective monitoring of night flaring, monitoring during a variety of climatic conditions and more monitoring of abandoned and older sites. One individual suggested that if the EUB was unable to monitor effectively then a separate entity specifically for monitoring should be established. Some of the Grande Prairie participants believe that EUB regulations should be stricter and that the regulations should be more consistently and effectively enforced. One individual indicated that stricter regulations are required to ensure that companies are meeting safety standards. Some participants expressed concerns related to flaring and suggested that alternatives to flaring (primarily incineration) should be implemented. Event Consequence Management A few participants in Grande Prairie mentioned the rising rate of asthma among children in the area as a concern and expressed a desire for the link between sour gas emissions and human health to be explored further. One individual indicated that because of the lack of understanding about the health impacts of sour gas emissions, medical professionals were not addressing potentially related health issues adequately. One participant suggested that sour gas emissions are negatively influencing the health of his cattle and that they are exhibiting symptoms such as coughs and runny eyes and noses. A few individuals indicated that testing of environmental quality (air and water) should be more extensive, specifically in environmentally sensitive areas, and that the approach used for testing should be consistent throughout the province. Some of the participants in Grande Prairie suggested that setback distances are not large enough, indicating that the existing approach to establishing setback distances is arbitrary. It was suggested that setback distances should consider climatic conditions, water sources and adjacent landowner topography. A few individuals from the session believe that setbacks as they are create too much sterile land and suggested that corridors would be a better option. It was suggested by a few participants that delineation of EPZs should not be based on an arbitrary radius or artificial lines. A variety of suggestions were made for improving the effectiveness of ERPs. These included: involving the public more in the planning process, considering animals in the plans, more training for volunteer police and fire, having the Health Regions more involved with the ERP process and more education and information for company employees and members of the public about the ERP. A few participants believe that the existing approach to providing the public with information about ERP serves to increase resident's anxiety. The lack of technical information about the health risks (human, animal and community) associated with sour gas was cited as a problem by a few participants in Grande Prairie. One individual stated that the notion of long term research in the context of risk assessments is artificial because the issue has not been researched over the long term. Communication and Compensation A few of the participants mentioned challenges related to communication between the public and some of the energy companies. These individuals indicated that some of the companies in the area take advantage of people, 'put them off', and do not respond to their concerns adequately. It was suggested that communications could be improved if there was a better flow of information. One participant stated that some companies in the area are making an attempt to make the initial contact with the public more positive and to maintain communication throughout the process. Another said that communication with industry has improved significantly over the past few years. Some of the participants indicated that overall public knowledge and awareness about sour gas requires improvement. The publics' role in decision making, and the relationship of sour gas to public health were specifically mentioned as topic areas that require enhanced public knowledge and awareness. Suggestions for improving public knowledge and awareness included: more and regular open houses and industry events, more media involvement and school based education. One individual suggested that the RHA and the MD should be more involved and become sources of information. A few participants believe that research should be made more accessible to the public. * Several participants indicated that they were acting as representatives for larger groups and/or organizations.