Role of ERCB in Synergy and Public Involvement

Synergy Alberta ConferenceOctober 28, 2008

Presentation Outline

•ERCB Vision, Mission and Mandate for Public Involvement•History of ERCB Involvement with Synergy•Current Involvement with Synergy Alberta/Local Groups•Future Direction for Engaging Stakeholders

ERCB Vision, Mission and Public Interest Mandate

•Vision: to have a regulatory framework that inspires public confidence•Mission: to ensure that the discovery, development and delivery of Alberta’s energy resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the public interest•Public Interest: having regard to the social, environmental and economic effects of the project and the effects of the project on the environment

Regulatory Framework

•Provincial Government sets legislative policy for development of energy resources•Regulators develop regulatory framework to administer policy with input from stakeholders•Industry develops resource within regulatory framework•Opportunity for stakeholders to engage from policy development to project development

Benefits of Public Involvement

ERCB is responsible for ensuring that clear, concise, enforceable requirements exist and that stakeholders have a fair opportunity to participate. Benefits of early engagement include:•Better decisions•Relationships established and strengthened over time•Trust amongst parties increased through open, honest dialogue•Opportunities created for stakeholder input into decisions that affect them

ERCB History in Synergy

“Business can no longer be conducted in the same old way, whether it is the business of developing resources, the business of regulating, or simply the business of living.”

Statement by Alberta Energy and Utilities Board Chairman Neil McCrank at Making Synergy Real conference, 2002

Definition of Synergy

Diverse interests coming together to learn from one another and work pro-actively for the best interest of all.

Gary Redmond, Executive Director, Synergy Alberta

The Need for Synergy•1990s: Synergy groups begin forming in Alberta with common approach of sharing information, learning, working together•Into the new millennium: huge increase in industry activity, surface development, and public interest•Synergy movement gaining ground•Need identified to bring groups together to learn from one another, share successes and failures, encourage further growth – “stop reinventing the wheel”

Formation of Synergy Alberta

•Feb. 2002 – Making Synergy Real conference:

need for formal process recognized

•Oct. 2003 – Synergy Supporting Synergy: Vision

and Action Plan

•May 2004 – 5 “Action Teams” work on concept

•Feb. 2005 – Synergy in Motion: sets structure

for Provincial organization

•Feb. 2006 – Synergy Alberta formed and

Executive Director in place

•Today – fully operational Board and structure in

place to support >60 synergy groups

ERCB Community and Aboriginal Relations Team•Expanded team – now 13 staff province-wide•Primary focus to inform stakeholders about ERCB roles/responsibilities, requirements and processes, listen and understand issues/concerns, work with stakeholders towards solutions•Accomplished through presentations to public, industry, government; synergy groups; one-on-one meetings; ADR; hearing support

ERCB Support for Synergy •Continued strong support for Synergy Alberta and individual synergy groups•Increased capacity of CAR Team to better serve synergy groups and local communities Provincially•Issues and concerns identified early and solutions reached by working together•Public, industry, government all benefit from participating•Success stories validate importance

Future Proposed Plans

•Continued support of Synergy Alberta and synergy groups•Proactive outreach program to educate and engage communities on matters that may impact them•Local municipal government meetings including RHA’s, disaster services, administration – also Aboriginal•Educational materials and programs for all ages

Future Proposed Plans (cont)

•Trade shows and open houses•GIS mapping capability to allow immediate CAR staff access to information as required•Public reporting of stakeholder engagement •Continued ERCB priority to engaging communities throughout life cycle including policy development, applications and operations