PSSG: Session Round 1

Location:

Red Deer

Date:

June 19, 2000

Committee Reps:

Gerry Desorcy
Brian Winter
Paul Jackson
Randy Gossen
Barry Virtue
Tim Lambert
Frank George
Judith Bugg

Number of Participants:

14*

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 Red Deer was well attended and successful. Several of the individuals participating commented positively on the unique format of the consultation process and indicated that they appreciated having the opportunity to express their concerns and issues directly to members of the Committee. The key and consistent issues presented at the Red Deer session included: (1) improved communication and cooperation between industry, the EUB, municipalities, health authorities and the public; and, (2) concerns about the long-term environmental and human health impacts of sour gas activity.

Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction

Participants in the Red Deer session provided a variety of suggestions to improve the performance of the EUB. These include: increasing staff in field locations, being more accessible to the public, enhanced regulations that ensure the effectiveness of ERPs and solving issues surrounding the confidentiality of public complaints so that industry can reduce response time.

Some of the participants indicated that the EUB is in a position of conflicted interest because of their affiliation with the government and, as such, favored industry and 'rubber stamped' industry permits.

A few participants suggested that the companies that follow the existing regulations and practice 'good business' should be given priority for applications.

One participant suggested that EUB regulations should require all companies to be members of CASA.

Several individuals indicated that, in an effort to be more proactive, the EUB should conduct more monitoring and audits (air and water quality) and that regulations should be more strictly enforced. Some participants further suggested that the most advanced technology is only employed when there is a problem, not as a preventative measure.

Several of the session participants suggested that there should be more and improved cooperation and coordination between the EUB, industry, the regional health authorities and municipalities.

A suggestion was made thatindustry accountability for procedure, particularly as it relates to sour gas safety, must be revised and updated and that the EUB should be responsible of doing this.

Event Consequence Management

Most of the participants in Red Deer expressed concerns about the possible long-term health effects of exposure to sour gas. Several participants identified a variety of symptoms that they or friends, relatives and neighbors have experienced that they believe are a result of emission. Examples include: headaches, asthma, nausea, insomnia, miscarriages, cancer. A few participants emphasized that the existing standards for acceptable levels are arbitrary and do not reflect individuals with chemical sensitivities. In addition, a few individuals indicated the stress and worry associated with sour gas issues has been detrimental to their mental health.

A few of the session participants had concerns about the lack of monitoring of benzene, a known carcinogenic, and suggested that the health authority should be more involved and advocate for health issues related to sour gas.

Some of the participants suggested that topography, specifically as it relates to river valleys, should be more extensively considered when determining setback and ERZs. Several suggested that overall, setback distances are inadequate, especially in populated and urban areas, and should be site specific.

A few participants indicated that there should be better communication and coordination between the EUB, the companies, the municipalities and the public when developing ERPs. In addition, it was suggested that ER 'practice runs', organized by the companies would be beneficial and that the public should receive earlier notification of events.

Some suggested that the EUB should increase their monitoring of ERPs.

Several individuals indicated that there should be more research into the long-term health effects related to sour gas emissions. Further, some of the participants suggested that there needs to be more research related to the environmental impacts of sour gas emissions (air and water quality, relationship to topography) and that alternatives to flaring need to be explored.

Communication and Compensation

Most of the participants in Red Deer indicated that communications with the companies is often problematic. Some indicated that because the industry takes a 'no news is good news' approach, the public is not effectively and consistently informed. In addition, a few of the participants suggested that the companies were somewhat communicative during the development process, but that on-going and follow-up communication is poor.

Some of the participants stated that the hearing process was ineffective and is too expensive and time consuming for the public. One of the participants noted that the existing communication, hearing and regulation approach requires the public to prove that there is a problem rather the industry proving that there isn't a problem.

Most of the individuals in the Red Deer sessions indicated that the public needs to be more aware and knowledgeable of sour gas issues and better informed about how the public can participate in the decision making process. Some of the participants thought that informing the public should be part of the EUB's role.

Some of the participants suggested that the public's level of knowledge about sour gas and long-term health issues was very low.

A few participants in Red Deer suggest that better education of the public with regard to sour gas would alleviate unnecessary fears. It was suggested that this should be the EUB's responsibility.

Some of the participants believe that research documentation is not accessible enough to the public.

A few of the individuals at the Red Deer session expressed concerns about diminished property values resulting from sour gas activity. A few suggested that the companies should be required to assume long term financial responsibility for the negative impacts of sour gas activity (e.g. property values, health issues).

A few of the participants suggested that the possible effects of 'toxic cocktails' (a mixture of gases) in the context of public health has not been explored.

Some of the participants believed that the flow of risk communication information to the public needs to be more timely and accurate.

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

	Location:	Red Deer
	Date:	June 19, 2000
	Committee Reps:	Gerry Desorcy Brian Winter Paul Jackson Randy Gossen Barry Virtue Tim Lambert Frank George Judith Bugg
	Number of Participants:	14*
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 Red Deer was well attended and successful. Several of the individuals participating commented positively on the unique format of the consultation process and indicated that they appreciated having the opportunity to express their concerns and issues directly to members of the Committee. The key and consistent issues presented at the Red Deer session included: (1) improved communication and cooperation between industry, the EUB, municipalities, health authorities and the public; and, (2) concerns about the long-term environmental and human health impacts of sour gas activity. Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction Participants in the Red Deer session provided a variety of suggestions to improve the performance of the EUB. These include: increasing staff in field locations, being more accessible to the public, enhanced regulations that ensure the effectiveness of ERPs and solving issues surrounding the confidentiality of public complaints so that industry can reduce response time. Some of the participants indicated that the EUB is in a position of conflicted interest because of their affiliation with the government and, as such, favored industry and 'rubber stamped' industry permits. A few participants suggested that the companies that follow the existing regulations and practice 'good business' should be given priority for applications. One participant suggested that EUB regulations should require all companies to be members of CASA. Several individuals indicated that, in an effort to be more proactive, the EUB should conduct more monitoring and audits (air and water quality) and that regulations should be more strictly enforced. Some participants further suggested that the most advanced technology is only employed when there is a problem, not as a preventative measure. Several of the session participants suggested that there should be more and improved cooperation and coordination between the EUB, industry, the regional health authorities and municipalities. A suggestion was made thatindustry accountability for procedure, particularly as it relates to sour gas safety, must be revised and updated and that the EUB should be responsible of doing this. Event Consequence Management Most of the participants in Red Deer expressed concerns about the possible long-term health effects of exposure to sour gas. Several participants identified a variety of symptoms that they or friends, relatives and neighbors have experienced that they believe are a result of emission. Examples include: headaches, asthma, nausea, insomnia, miscarriages, cancer. A few participants emphasized that the existing standards for acceptable levels are arbitrary and do not reflect individuals with chemical sensitivities. In addition, a few individuals indicated the stress and worry associated with sour gas issues has been detrimental to their mental health. A few of the session participants had concerns about the lack of monitoring of benzene, a known carcinogenic, and suggested that the health authority should be more involved and advocate for health issues related to sour gas. Some of the participants suggested that topography, specifically as it relates to river valleys, should be more extensively considered when determining setback and ERZs. Several suggested that overall, setback distances are inadequate, especially in populated and urban areas, and should be site specific. A few participants indicated that there should be better communication and coordination between the EUB, the companies, the municipalities and the public when developing ERPs. In addition, it was suggested that ER 'practice runs', organized by the companies would be beneficial and that the public should receive earlier notification of events. Some suggested that the EUB should increase their monitoring of ERPs. Several individuals indicated that there should be more research into the long-term health effects related to sour gas emissions. Further, some of the participants suggested that there needs to be more research related to the environmental impacts of sour gas emissions (air and water quality, relationship to topography) and that alternatives to flaring need to be explored. Communication and Compensation Most of the participants in Red Deer indicated that communications with the companies is often problematic. Some indicated that because the industry takes a 'no news is good news' approach, the public is not effectively and consistently informed. In addition, a few of the participants suggested that the companies were somewhat communicative during the development process, but that on-going and follow-up communication is poor. Some of the participants stated that the hearing process was ineffective and is too expensive and time consuming for the public. One of the participants noted that the existing communication, hearing and regulation approach requires the public to prove that there is a problem rather the industry proving that there isn't a problem. Most of the individuals in the Red Deer sessions indicated that the public needs to be more aware and knowledgeable of sour gas issues and better informed about how the public can participate in the decision making process. Some of the participants thought that informing the public should be part of the EUB's role. Some of the participants suggested that the public's level of knowledge about sour gas and long-term health issues was very low. A few participants in Red Deer suggest that better education of the public with regard to sour gas would alleviate unnecessary fears. It was suggested that this should be the EUB's responsibility. Some of the participants believe that research documentation is not accessible enough to the public. A few of the individuals at the Red Deer session expressed concerns about diminished property values resulting from sour gas activity. A few suggested that the companies should be required to assume long term financial responsibility for the negative impacts of sour gas activity (e.g. property values, health issues). A few of the participants suggested that the possible effects of 'toxic cocktails' (a mixture of gases) in the context of public health has not been explored. Some of the participants believed that the flow of risk communication information to the public needs to be more timely and accurate. * Several participants indicated that they were acting as representatives for larger groups and/or organizations.