PSSG: Session Round 1

Location:

Sundre

Date:

June 22, 2000

Committee Reps:

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

Number of Participants:

18*

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 Sundre was well attended. Participants at the session offered a broad range of issues, concerns and comments related to sour gas activity in their area. The key and consistent issues that were identified during the session included: (1) the need for the EUB to develop more effective regulation of sour gas developments and to more rigorously monitor and enforce regulations, and (2) concerns about the effects of sour gas activity on human, animal and environmental health.

Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction:

Several of the people participating in the Sundre session suggested that the EUB should take more responsibility for monitoring, enforcing regulations and conducting follow-ups. Several participants believe that the regulations should be stricter in addition to being more effectively enforced. Areas for stricter regulation specifically mentioned include flaring and conservation. In addition, a few suggested that the EUB needs to conduct more monitoring related to air and water quality. A suggestion was made for 'report cards' for industry.

The lack of communication and coordination between the EUB, industry, the municipalities, AB Environment and the public was mentioned by several people at the Sundre session. Some suggested that the public is 'passed around' these organizations and as a result, complaints and issues are not addressed. One individual said that companies and the EUB make promises for their own benefit.

A few participants believe that the municipalities should coordinate with the EUB with regard to building permits.

Several individuals said that the EUB is short staffed and as a result, is not an effective contact. Some participants believe that the EUB should be more accessible to the public.

Event Consequence Management

Human, animal and environmental health issues resulting from sour gas emissions was identified as a concern by some of the participants in Sundre. Some of the people indicated a variety of symptoms that they, their friends or relatives have experienced. Examples of these include: runny eyes, feeling intoxicated, strokes, heart attacks, cancers and headaches. The environmental concerns raised by some of the participants centered on air and water quality. A few of the Sundre participants said that the stress in dealings with companies and the worry of health and environmental risks related to sour gas has been detrimental to their mental well being.

Some of the individuals participating expressed concern over the cumulative effects of sour gas activity and the relationship to negative human, animal and environmental health. It was suggested that there should be more research into cumulative effects.

One participant believes that inappropriate 'micro' testing results in skewed results and generates inappropriate fear about the potential negative effects of sour gas activity.

Some participants at the Sundre session indicated that setback distances were not large enough and the regulations for setbacks should be re-evaluated. One participant suggested that setback related issues are not a matter of inadequate distances, but instead are a result of lack of maintenance of sour gas facilities.

A few individuals said that EPZs should not be based on radius, but should be flexible, considering site-specific circumstances (community issues, climate, topography).

Sundre participants raised a range of concerns related to ERPs. Examples of these include: lack of overall confidence in their effectiveness, inadequate notification in the event of a problem, and that animals are not considered in the plans. One individual stated that fire departments and disaster services in the municipalities are not involved enough in ERPs and that there should be more cooperation between fire and disaster services, the MDs and companies. Another individual indicated that some companies conduct mock exercises and that these have been beneficial.

The lack of sour gas related research was cited as an issue by a few participants. Some individuals suggested that converting flare gas to alternative energy needs to be further explored.

Communication and Compensation

Public consultation and industry communications was identified as an issue by some of the participants. It was suggested that a standard for public consultation between the public and companies needs to be established and enforced. Some people said that they been treated poorly by some companies and the EUB and that better coordination between the EUB, companies, the AB government and the public is required to improve response time and effectiveness.

A few individuals had favorable comments about the response and conduct of companies and the EUB. It was suggested that the presence of SPOG has improved relations. One individual stated that the public generalizes a single negative industry experience to all companies.

Some of the participants said that the public is not clear on the role and jurisdiction of the EUB, companies and AB Environment and that there is confusion about who to call with concerns. A few said that Sundre Petroleum Operators Group and other community groups have helped to inform the public.

One individual commented that in terms of compensation, the public is forced to fight for everything they get. Another individual suggested that companies cannot compensate everyone and that the system is often abused.

A few participants indicated that the public needs to be made more aware of the risks associated with sour gas activity.

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

	Location:	Sundre
	Date:	June 22, 2000
	Committee Reps:	Gerry Desorcy Paul Jackson Tim Lambert Frank George Judith Bugg Brian Winter Randy Gossen
	Number of Participants:	18*
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 Sundre was well attended. Participants at the session offered a broad range of issues, concerns and comments related to sour gas activity in their area. The key and consistent issues that were identified during the session included: (1) the need for the EUB to develop more effective regulation of sour gas developments and to more rigorously monitor and enforce regulations, and (2) concerns about the effects of sour gas activity on human, animal and environmental health. Prevention, Policy and Jurisdiction: Several of the people participating in the Sundre session suggested that the EUB should take more responsibility for monitoring, enforcing regulations and conducting follow-ups. Several participants believe that the regulations should be stricter in addition to being more effectively enforced. Areas for stricter regulation specifically mentioned include flaring and conservation. In addition, a few suggested that the EUB needs to conduct more monitoring related to air and water quality. A suggestion was made for 'report cards' for industry. The lack of communication and coordination between the EUB, industry, the municipalities, AB Environment and the public was mentioned by several people at the Sundre session. Some suggested that the public is 'passed around' these organizations and as a result, complaints and issues are not addressed. One individual said that companies and the EUB make promises for their own benefit. A few participants believe that the municipalities should coordinate with the EUB with regard to building permits. Several individuals said that the EUB is short staffed and as a result, is not an effective contact. Some participants believe that the EUB should be more accessible to the public. Event Consequence Management Human, animal and environmental health issues resulting from sour gas emissions was identified as a concern by some of the participants in Sundre. Some of the people indicated a variety of symptoms that they, their friends or relatives have experienced. Examples of these include: runny eyes, feeling intoxicated, strokes, heart attacks, cancers and headaches. The environmental concerns raised by some of the participants centered on air and water quality. A few of the Sundre participants said that the stress in dealings with companies and the worry of health and environmental risks related to sour gas has been detrimental to their mental well being. Some of the individuals participating expressed concern over the cumulative effects of sour gas activity and the relationship to negative human, animal and environmental health. It was suggested that there should be more research into cumulative effects. One participant believes that inappropriate 'micro' testing results in skewed results and generates inappropriate fear about the potential negative effects of sour gas activity. Some participants at the Sundre session indicated that setback distances were not large enough and the regulations for setbacks should be re-evaluated. One participant suggested that setback related issues are not a matter of inadequate distances, but instead are a result of lack of maintenance of sour gas facilities. A few individuals said that EPZs should not be based on radius, but should be flexible, considering site-specific circumstances (community issues, climate, topography). Sundre participants raised a range of concerns related to ERPs. Examples of these include: lack of overall confidence in their effectiveness, inadequate notification in the event of a problem, and that animals are not considered in the plans. One individual stated that fire departments and disaster services in the municipalities are not involved enough in ERPs and that there should be more cooperation between fire and disaster services, the MDs and companies. Another individual indicated that some companies conduct mock exercises and that these have been beneficial. The lack of sour gas related research was cited as an issue by a few participants. Some individuals suggested that converting flare gas to alternative energy needs to be further explored. Communication and Compensation Public consultation and industry communications was identified as an issue by some of the participants. It was suggested that a standard for public consultation between the public and companies needs to be established and enforced. Some people said that they been treated poorly by some companies and the EUB and that better coordination between the EUB, companies, the AB government and the public is required to improve response time and effectiveness. A few individuals had favorable comments about the response and conduct of companies and the EUB. It was suggested that the presence of SPOG has improved relations. One individual stated that the public generalizes a single negative industry experience to all companies. Some of the participants said that the public is not clear on the role and jurisdiction of the EUB, companies and AB Environment and that there is confusion about who to call with concerns. A few said that Sundre Petroleum Operators Group and other community groups have helped to inform the public. One individual commented that in terms of compensation, the public is forced to fight for everything they get. Another individual suggested that companies cannot compensate everyone and that the system is often abused. A few participants indicated that the public needs to be made more aware of the risks associated with sour gas activity. * Several participants indicated that they were acting as representatives for larger groups and/or organizations.