ESAA is Hiring!
Accountability. Innovative. Community Involvement. Environmental Integrity.
The Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA) was established in 1987. With over two- hundred-member organizations, we have grown to become one of Canada’s leading environment industry associations. ESAA has provides its members with educational publications and conferences; much needed in the ever-changing environmental industry, as well as providing important networking opportunities. ESAA is committed to promoting its many members and their services and is proud to serve its member organizations.
We are looking for our new Manager, Strategic Relations to join our team. This position is responsible for fostering relationships that will promote ESAA and the industry with other industry sectors and levels of government. The role is also responsible for building and fostering relationships, supporting the messaging of key trends, and communicating the changes in the regulatory areas which directly impact the ESAA membership. This position is also responsible for member retention and recruitment activities.
Full details and how to apply available at: https://esaa.org/job/manager-strategic-relations/
Please, no phone calls.
Alberta declares provincial state of emergency
In response to the threat of multiple wildfires burning throughout the province, Alberta has declared a provincial state of emergency to ensure the safety, health and welfare of Albertans.
Emergency responders are working around the clock to keep people safe and reduce the threat to homes and infrastructure.
Under the Emergency Management Act, declaring a state of emergency is a legal mechanism that provides the provincial government with a higher level of intergovernmental coordination, around the clock monitoring of the situation, access to emergency discretionary funds, the ability to mobilize additional supports and continue working with municipalities, organizations and businesses to support evacuated residents.
The Emergency Management Cabinet Committee continues to meet regularly to respond to the current wildfire situation across the province. Cabinet continues to have decision-making abilities, and will make decisions as needed to deal with this emergency situation.
The ministries involved in the Emergency Management Cabinet Committee include Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services, Alberta Skilled Trades and Professions, Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, Alberta Municipal Affairs, Alberta Health, Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism, Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services, Alberta Indigenous Relations, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and Alberta Energy.
Department officials will continue providing daily technical briefings to the media and the public as this situation continues to evolve. A daily situation report will also be issued via news release.
The most up-to-date evacuation information is available at alberta.ca/emergency, Alberta Emergency Alert or by downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers. Albertans seeking information or supports can call 310-4455.
Anyone who has been evacuated due to wildfires is asked to register at local reception centres or at emergencyregistration.alberta.ca.
Alberta lays environmental charges
Environment and Protected Areas has laid charges against John Andrew Beck for not following environmental legislation.
John Beck is alleged to have contravened environment legislation and regulations related to unauthorized shoreline modification along Clearwater River in Clearwater County.
Charges under the Water Act and Public Lands Act were laid on April 26.
Beck is facing eight charges:
two charges for contravening the Water Act
six charges for contravening the Public Lands Act
All offences are alleged to have occurred between April 20, 2010 and October 28, 2022. The first court date is scheduled for May 31 in the Alberta Court of Justice, Rocky Mountain House.
Quick facts
Alberta’s Water Act supports and promotes the conservation and management of water through the use and allocation of water in Alberta.
The Water Act addresses Albertans’ rights to divert water and the types of instruments and decision-making processes available for diversion and use of water.
The Public Lands Act establishes the role of the Alberta government in managing public land in the province.
If you have information about a spill, release or emergency that could damage the environment, call 1-800-222-6514, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
AER: Water (Ministerial) Regulation Amendment
On April 28, 2023, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas announced an amendment to the Water (Ministerial) Regulation. Details will be available on the ministry’s water legislation and guidelines webpage.
Under specified conditions, stormwater diversions of less than 6250 cubic metres per year are now exempt from requiring a Water Act licence. This simplifies the regulation of water diversions for small volumes associated with stormwater runoff and supports achieving the goals of the Water Conservation Policy for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations. The exemption only applies to the diversion of water. All other regulatory requirements for the management, handling, and release of water continue to apply.
AER lays charges against Aeraden Energy Corp.
CALGARY, AB, April 28, 2023 – The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has charged Aeraden Energy Corp. with six counts under the Pipeline Act and Pipeline Rules for failing to abandon a pipeline, as reported though OneStop.
The charges laid are as follows:
- One count for failing to discontinue, abandon, or reactivate a pipeline that had not been in active service within the last 12 months.
- One count for failing to physically isolate or disconnect a discontinued pipeline from an operating facility or other pipeline.
- One count for failing to remove surface equipment related to the abandoned pipeline.
- One count for failing to cut off the abandoned pipeline below the surface.
- One count for failing to permanently plug or cap all open ends of the abandoned pipeline.
- One count for failing to install permanent tags on the abandoned pipeline, indicating licensing and abandonment information.
All contraventions were discovered on April 30, 2021, during a pipeline inspection conducted by the AER near Jenner. The company’s first court appearance will be June 14, 2023, at Brooks Court of Justice.
For more information, visit the AER Compliance Dashboard.
AER: New Edition of Directive 051
Today we released a new edition of Directive 051: Injection and Disposal Wells – Well Classifications, Completions, Logging, and Testing Requirements. This edition has been rebranded to reflect our change in 2013 from the Energy Resource Conservation Board to the Alberta Energy Regulator and our new mandate under the Responsible Energy Development Act. The Directive also incorporates requirements for geothermal resource development and references to the Geothermal Resource Development Rules.
Other administrative changes made include
- removing duplicate and obsolete requirements,
- restructuring the directive to improve its organization,
- correcting outdated references, and
- numbering unique requirements.
The revised edition of Directive 051 is available on our website at aer.ca > Regulating Development > Rules and Directives > Directives. If you have any questions, contact our Customer Contact Centre by phone at 1-855-297-8311 or by email at inquiries@aer.ca
AER reports significant growth in closure work spending
CALGARY, AB, April 27, 2023 – Preliminary results indicate that the energy industry spent about 40 per cent more in 2022 than required under the annual minimum mandatory closure spend to close oil and gas sites.
“I am thrilled to see that the new liability framework that we put in place to clean up oil and gas liability is making a difference around the province,” said Pete Guthrie, Minister of Energy. “It’s encouraging to see that industry is going above and beyond the spending targets to prioritize this important work and allocating the appropriate resources.”
In 2022, the AER introduced minimum mandatory closure spend that specifies the amount that industry must spend on closing oil and gas sites annually, including decommissioning and reclaiming wells, pipelines, and facilities. The minimum mandatory closure spend for 2022 was $422 million.
“Based on initial information, approximately $600 million was spent by industry to close oil and gas sites in 2022, which is $178 million above the minimum amount required,” said Laurie Pushor, President and CEO of the AER.
Throughout 2022, the mandatory spend was communicated broadly to industry as a baseline, minimum requirement. The $600 million spend did not include amounts funded by the Government of Alberta’s Site Rehabilitation Program. Final results are expected to be available later this year.
The minimum mandatory closure spend for 2023 is $700 million and is forecast to increase 9 per cent annually through 2027.
In 2022, the energy industry decommissioned about 11 000 wells, 170 pipeline segments, and 440 facilities. The AER issued reclamation certificates for about 2900 sites. The number of inactive wells peaked at around 97 000 wells in 2020, decreasing to 81 561 today.
In early April 2023, the AER introduced the closure nomination process, a second initiative under the Inventory Reduction Program, which allows for the nomination of oil and gas wells and facilities that have been inactive or abandoned for at least five years, for closure. Eligible requesters can submit a nomination form on aer.ca.
Additional information
Alberta oil and gas well status as of December 31, 2022:
- 463 927 total well count
- 156 005 active/producing wells
- 1416 new wells drilled
- 82 837 inactive wells
- 90 460 abandoned/decommissioned wells
- 133 209 fully reclaimed wells
Revised legislation aims to protect B.C.’s natural environment
Environment and Climate Change Canada Enforcement opens a formal investigation into Imperial Oil Ltd.’s Kearl Oil Sands Site
Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers have a mandate to enforce federal environmental legislation aimed at pollution prevention and protecting Canada’s wildlife and biodiversity. Environment and Climate Change Canada takes pollution incidents and threats to the environment very seriously.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Enforcement has opened an investigation into a suspected contravention of subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act at Imperial Oil Ltd.’s Kearl Oil Sands Site. Subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act prohibits the deposit of a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish, or in any place where the deleterious substance may enter any such water.
Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers and environmental emergencies officers have carried out inspections at the site since they became aware of the incident on February 7, 2023. In addition to the investigation, officers will continue to monitor the mitigation measures taken by Imperial Oil Ltd. to prevent impacts to fish bearing water, as required by the Fisheries Act Direction issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada Enforcement on March 10, 2023.
As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to provide further information on this case at this time.
Quick facts
Generally, an enforcement file moves from inspection to investigation if and when the purpose of the collection of information shifts from the verification of compliance or for the purpose of taking administrative enforcement action, to that of collecting evidence for a potential prosecution.
Environment and Climate Change Canada administers and enforces the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. These provisions prohibit the deposit of deleterious substances into water frequented by fish, or in a place where they may enter water frequented by fish.
A Fisheries Act Direction is a compliance tool that may be issued by enforcement officers when there is an unauthorized deposit of a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish or when there is a serious and imminent danger of such an incident, and immediate action is necessary.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment.
Related products
New ESAA Member
ESAA welcomes the following new members. If you are not a member of ESAA you can join now via: https://esaa.org/join-esaa/
Full Member:
Hoskin Scientific
280 South Service Road West
Unit 5
Oakville, ON L6L 0B1
Phone: (905) 333-5510
Shaun Lewis, VP Sales and Marketing
Email: slewis@hoskin.ca
Profile:
For over 75 years Hoskin Scientific has provided expert consultative support to find the right product to fit your application needs. Whether you require monitoring or testing instrumentation and systems, rentals, or service, we are where you need us to be across Canada. We are pleased to partner with a number of leading brands and manufacturers to ensure we bring the most current and relevant solutions to our customers.
Our ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT provides solutions for monitoring and sampling water, soil, air and weather parameters in the environment. Our team of environmental sales representatives and diverse product range guarantee that you will find the right products for your application. Specific areas include water quality, water quantity, soil moisture, plant science, weather stations, air quality, hydrology, aquaculture, aquatic sampling, and oceanography. Whatever the area of specialty, Hoskin Scientific’s environmental department can equip you to collect the data you need for your project whether through a purchase or rental.
Our GEOTECHNICAL DEPARTMENT offers monitoring and testing equipment for soil, asphalt, petroleum, dust, sound, vibration, concrete, and cement. Our qualified sales associates and technical experts focus on providing a sophisticated range of testing equipment, complying with the various test methods, ensuring that accurate and consistent test results are always obtained. Whatever the area of specialty, Hoskin Scientific’s geotechnical materials testing department can equip you to collect the data and information you need for your project whether through a purchase or rental.
Our INSTRUMENTATION DEPARTMENT focuses on a wide range of products including, transducers and transmitters, data acquisitions and loggers, signal conditioners and indicators, microscopes, scanning electron microscopes (SEM), Xray CT/scanning systems, coordinate measurement machines (CMM), optical camera systems, automation sensors and automated measurement systems. We have technical sales associates that are trained in various areas and willing to help you with your instrumentation requirements. Our Integrated Systems Department are leading experts in a variety of monitoring scenarios including: Real-Time Remote Data using: Radio, Cellular, Satellite. Access a large range of parameters from almost any location. These unique solutions have been implemented in a variety of applications including weather, mining, water, agriculture, and aquaculture monitoring. Our Rental Department offers a wide range of testing and monitoring instrumentation, including water quality, portable gas monitors, soil sampling instruments, material measurement, non destructive testing, noise / sound / dust / vibration monitoring and more. We are offer a wide variety of solutions to support your short-term and long-term operational and project requirements. Our Service Department tests, calibrates, and repairs. Our national team of technicians have been factory-trained and certified to meet the needs of our customers. Our focus is to help companies both maintain and fix their monitoring and testing equipment to keep their businesses moving. Beyond our day-to-day business being community focused is key to Hoskin. Many of the products and solutions we provide deliver both environmental and sustainable benefits. In addition we believe in giving back and do so through national partnership with the United Way. Our team members participate in our annual giving program, fitness challenge cup and variety of other special events. These fundraising initiatives are supported and matched corporately to further increase the impact of the local support provided.
ESAA Member News
AGAT Laboratories Acquires Stratum Reservoir (Canada)
AGAT Laboratories Ltd. (‘AGAT’) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Canadian Operations of Stratum Reservoir (Canada), ULC (‘Stratum’) a highly reputable industry leader in reservoir characterization, applied geosciences and advanced analysis and interpretation of rocks and fluids. The Stratum acquisition, which in Canada was the former Hycal and Weatherford labs, brings with it experienced multi-disciplinary personnel and 120,000 additional square feet housing state of the art equipment, instrumentation and technology which serves to expand knowledge and capacity within AGAT’s Centers of Scientific Excellence in Canada. This new addition to AGAT’s service offerings includes expanded services in the areas of Pressure Volume Reservoir Testing ( PVT) , Advanced Core Analysis (SCAL) and geochemistry investigations but further more with new evaluations across emerging markets such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), geothermal, hydrogen, helium and critical minerals exploration.
This is a strategic time in AGAT’s development as we complete construction of a 70,000 square foot Minerals Division Center of Excellence in Calgary servicing the Canadian precious and base metals resource industry. The Stratum acquisition supports AGAT’s visions of an integrated lab offering which covers all necessary analysis to support the exploration and development of Canada’s resources. As we continue to see Canada step up the call for action as a leader in emerging energy markets, renewable resources, and emissions reductions, AGAT remains committed in its support of research and technology in achieving these goals. Canada’s vast Resources offer unparallelled opportunities for development of our Resources in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. “Whether it’s the focus for the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan or the work of industry leaders like Pathways Alliance – we will be there to support the targets that will shape our future for generations to come” says Marissa Reckmann CEO, AGAT Labs.
“We are pleased to have entered into an agreement with AGAT Laboratories, a premier service provider in Canada” said Ricardo Carossino, Stratum Reservoir’s CEO. “This transaction will enable Stratum Reservoir to focus on its key markets in North America, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa. We are confident that AGAT will continue to honor the legacy of both companies and maintain focus on advancing the science, technology and research required to strengthen the many established and emerging industries they support within Canada.”
The effective date of the acquisition is presently scheduled for June 1, 2023 as we look forward to the transition and integration of the Stratum Canada team into AGAT’s operations.
About AGAT Laboratories
AGAT Laboratories is a highly specialized Canadian owned laboratory headquartered in Calgary, Alberta providing analytical solutions worldwide renowned for providing accurate, timely and defensible solutions to complex analytical requests with a constant focus on ensuring “Service Beyond Analysis” to its national and international clients.
With 45 locations coast to coast, supported by our 12 Centers of Excellence in Calgary, Alberta; AGAT Laboratories services a wide spectrum of industries, inclusive of , Geosciences, Advanced Core and Materials, Reservoir Characterization, Petroleum Testing, Lubricant Testing, Air Quality Monitoring, Environmental Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Ultra-Trace and Toxicology, Food Testing, Agricultural Analysis and Mining Geochemistry.
AGAT continues to demonstrate its commitment to building Canadian Controlled Science and Technology.
For more information, please visit www.agatlabs.com and follow AGAT Laboratories on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/agat-laboratories and on Twitter @AGATLabs and the AGAT Foundation at www.agatfoundation.com
About Stratum Reservoir
Stratum Reservoir is an industry leader in rock, fluid, and stable isotope analysis for the energy, mining, and agricultural industries. Our network of laboratories around the world, produces high precision analytical data that our global team of subject matter experts use to deliver scientific insights that enable our customers to gain a thorough understanding of their natural resources.
For more information, please visit https://www.stratumreservoir.com/ and follow Stratum Reservoir on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratum-reservoir/
Montrose Environmental buys Calgary-based Matrix Solutions
US-based Montrose Environmental Group has acquired Matrix Solutions, a Calgary-headquartered environmental and engineering consultancy.
Founded in 1984, Matrix provides services in contaminated site assessment, remediation and reclamation; environmental sciences and regulatory planning; and water resources engineering and management.
The firm’s 570 employees support more than 1,100 private and public sector clients in energy, mining, industrial, and infrastructure markets. Matrix has 19 offices across Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
The deal will greatly expand Montrose’s presence in Canada, where it currently has offices in Calgary and Edmonton. The deal is expected to close at the end of June.
“Matrix will form the platform for our consulting business in Canada and, together, we will be able to expand our support for clients across their full environmental engineering and service needs in North America,” said Doug Matthys, president of Montrose’s consulting & engineering division. “Within Canada, Matrix is recognized as a leading pure-play environmental solutions platform, offering a wide-range of services to compete against large-scale competitors, while having the regional expertise and personal touch to compete with local niche players.”
Montrose is a Little Rock, Arkansas-headquartered environmental consulting firm with more than 2,800 people across 80+ locations in the US, Canada, and Australia. The firm works with commercial and government clients on engagements spanning air measurement and laboratory services, regulatory compliance, emergency response, permitting, engineering, and remediation.
“We’re excited to join Montrose, creating a company with complementary skillsets, a greater depth of expertise and an ability to work seamlessly across borders for large multinational clients,” said Holly Elrick, president and CEO of Matrix.
Montrose last year acquired Environmental Standards Inc., a Valley Forge, Pennsylvania-based environmental consultancy.
Upcoming Industry Events
RemTech East
May 30 -June 1, 2023
Fallsview Casino and Resort
Niagara Falls, ONProgram Now Available – Starts in 3 Weeks
RemTech East starts in 3 weeks. Still time to register.
The program features 42 technical talks covering a number of topic areas, plus a special session specific to Ontario regulations.
The program also features keynotes by: Matt Jamieson, President/CEO Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, Brian Keating, Going Wild, Tovah Barocas, Earth Rangers and Yvonne Camus, Eco Challenge Adventure Racer.
The conference also features 45 exhibits, numerous networking opportunities and two amazing receptions including one at Table Rock Restaurant.
Program details can be found at: https://esaa.org/remtecheast/
agenda/ Full conference details at: https://esaa.org/remtecheast/
Registration Fees
ESAA / ONEIA / QPCO Member $875 Register Now Non-Member $995 Register Now Student $225 Register Now Hotel Reservations – For full details visit: https://esaa.org/remtecheast/hotel-travel/ Hotel Reservation deadline is April 28th. ESAA and ONEIA look forward to seeing you at the Falls!
Join the Conversation on Excess Soil Regulations
and Resource Recovery in Canada
This year, with the goal to make the event content as inclusive and geographically diverse as possible, we are providing an open call for participation. Do you have a compelling technical abstract ready to share? Are you interested in pitching a panel topic or participating in a panel?
At our exciting new venue, the Toronto Region Board of Trade (100 Queen’s Quay East), we are prepared to gather more than 300 attendees, including provincial ministers, municipal staffers, construction developers, industry stakeholders, engineers, project managers, qualified professionals, fill site operators, media and more.
Call for Abstracts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEiBfEabhccMups5AexL9cPK_Kv0TYVZhhOvuy-Jtso4BGqg/viewform
The Canadian Conservation and Land Management Knowledge Network (CCLM – www.cclmportal.ca) is pleased to be hosting an upcoming webinar discussing nature-based climate solutions in Canada.
Nature-based climate solutions (NBCSs) are increasingly viewed as potentially significant contributors to combating climate change. They are of particular interest in countries such as Canada, which has a vast land base with globally significant carbon stocks; these systems have the potential to help advance climate change mitigation goals by intentionally enhancing carbon sequestration or reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, more research is needed to better understand the potential contribution of NBCSs to Canada’s GHG emission reduction and net-zero carbon targets, and the potential of NBCSs varies regionally and across different ecosystems.
A recent report by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), entitled Nature-Based Climate Solutions, brought together 15 experts to explore the potential for NBCSs to help meet Canada’s GHG emission reduction goals. The report provides an overview of the mitigation potential of natural carbon sinks to enhance carbon sequestration or reduce emissions while also exploring feasibility considerations and the potential co-benefits and trade-offs associated with implementing NBCSs in Canada. It also explores how Indigenous Peoples are key partners in carbon sequestration initiatives in Canada.
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of the report and the complexities associated with NBCSs. It will also include a panel discussion with some of the panel experts who contributed to the report, who will share their knowledge on the potential of NBCSs to sequester carbon or mitigate GHG emissions.
Registration Link –> https://www.cclmportal.ca/portal/boreal-caribou-land-management-wetland-knowledge/events/nature-based-climate-solutions
ESAA Job Board
Check out the new improved ESAA Job Board. Members can post ads for free.
Current Listings:
- Manager, Strategic Relations – ESAA
- Intermediate/Senior Environmental Specialist – Summit
- Senior Reclamation Specialist – H3M Environmental
- Senior Environmental Professional, Reclamation & Remediation – H3M Environmental
- Environmental Scientist (Biology) – Summit, An earth Services Company
- SENIOR CONTAMINATED SITES SPECIALIST – Matrix Solutions
- Senior Advisor, Environment With Specialization in Ecology, Wildlife, Environmental Planning and Monitoring – EPCOR
- Manager of Engineering & Environment – City of Lethbridge
- Intermediate Environmental Scientist (Various Locations) – 360 Energy Liability Management
- Planner, Land – ATCO Electric