U of L governors to file statement of concern by Caroline Zentner, March 21, 2014, Lethbridge Herald
The University of Lethbridge will file a statement of concern with the Alberta Energy Regulator over Goldenkey Oil’s proposal to drill exploratory oil wells in west Lethbridge. The five-member working group, struck at the close of the February board meeting, looking into the issue recommended the board file a statement of concern, a recommendation the board adopted during the closed part of its meeting Thursday.
The working group collected a lot of information about the regulatory process and the issues identified as areas of concern. After considering and debating the information, the group recommended filing a statement of concern based on two factors.
“The first is the potential impact of the oil and natural gas facilities on residential property values and there’s been some evidence to suggest that that’s the case,” said U of L president Mike Mahon following the meeting. “The second is we know, because it is now public . . . that a task force has been struck regarding the development of an urban drilling policy. We have suggested that the Alberta Energy Regulator should not approve any further urban drilling until this policy has been introduced.”
While the board discussed the possible impact of the Goldenkey proposal at its February meeting, it did so as part of the open session. “The decision was made by executive that it should go into the closed session so the members could receive the report and have an open and frank discussion about the report and ensure that, in the end, we had gotten all of people’s perspectives on the table so that we could make a very good decision for the University of Lethbridge and I think that was achieved,” Mahon said.
And perhaps there to hear further debate, about 15 faculty and community members attended the open session on Thursday. Mahon reported chairman Gord Jong told the group their concerns would be taken into account. “We recognize the various concerns that have been expressed by the community. At the same time, as an academic institution, we felt that it’s really important that we express concerns based on items that we feel we have enough information on. Of course we’re concerned for the well-being of our students, faculty and staff. That goes without saying,” Mahon said, adding the decision was taken very seriously by board members and was not an easy one. [Emphasis added]
U of L board of governors to submit Statement of Concern regarding proposed westside drilling by Lethbridge Herald, March 20, 2014
At regular meeting today, the University of Lethbridge board of governors decided to submit a Statement of Concern as part of the provincial regulatory process regarding Goldenkey Oil Ltd.’s proposed drilling of three wells in west Lethbridge.
According to a U of L press release, the Statement of Concern will cite the negative impact on residential property values and how the proposed Goldenkey project may affect the future development of west Lethbridge in a way that is not beneficial to the U of L. Additionally, it will point out a task force has been struck by Alberta’s Minister of Energy regarding the development of an urban drilling policy. The board stated the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) should not approve any urban drilling until this policy is introduced.
“The proposed Goldenkey project has the potential to affect our university’s reputation and the city’s ability to develop lands in west Lethbridge,” said board chair Gord Jong. “The board agreed that raising our concerns about the project to the Alberta Energy Regulator is an important step as it is clear that drilling within Lethbridge’s municipal boundaries will impact our institution.”
For a complete story, please see tomorrow’s print edition of The Herald.
University of Lethbridge to file Statement of Concern with Alberta Energy Regulator regarding proposed Goldenkey project Press Release by University of Lethbridge Board of Governors, March 20, 2014
At its March 20, 2014 regular meeting, the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors decided to submit a Statement of Concern as part of the provincial regulatory process regarding Goldenkey Oil’s proposed drilling of three wells in west Lethbridge.
The Statement of Concern will cite the negative impact on residential property values and how the proposed Goldenkey project may affect the future development of west Lethbridge in a way that is not beneficial to the U of L. Additionally, it will point out that a task force has been struck by Alberta’s Minister of Energy regarding the development of an urban drilling policy. The Board stated the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) should not approve any urban drilling until this policy is introduced.
“The proposed Goldenkey project has the potential to affect our university’s reputation and the City’s ability to develop lands in west Lethbridge,” says Board Chair Gord Jong. “The Board agreed that raising our concerns about the project to the Alberta Energy Regulator is an important step as it is clear that drilling within Lethbridge’s municipal boundaries will impact our institution.”
At its February meeting, the Board struck a working committee to investigate the possible implications of the proposed drilling and the regulatory process to advise and inform the Board on appropriate future actions. In addition to deciding to submit a Statement of Concern, the U of L Board of Governors has issued a statement concerning the proposed drilling in west Lethbridge (attached to this release).
The U of L has expressed its concerns regarding urban drilling and the Goldenkey proposal to the provincial government through MLA Greg Weadick – who shares the University’s concerns. Additionally, President Mike Mahon has discussed issues relating to the Goldenkey proposal, as well as urban drilling in general, with Alberta Energy officials.
The University will post to its website the terms of reference of the committee, as well as make the Statement of Concern public, once it is submitted. [Emphasis added]
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Statement by the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors concerning proposed drilling in west Lethbridge
The Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge recognizes the importance of the oil and gas sector to the Province of Alberta as well as the concerns of our community regarding Goldenkey Oil’s application to drill in west Lethbridge. The Board of Governors has reviewed the issue and will immediately file a Statement of Concern citing 1) the impact of oil and natural gas facilities on residential property values, and 2) given that a task force has been struck by Alberta’s Minister of Energy regarding the development of an urban drilling policy, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) should not approve any further urban drilling until this policy has been introduced. The evidence backing these concerns follows the Statement of Concern and will be filed along with it.
[Refer also to:
“WATCH! “When will this government stand up for Albertans and tell industry: No Urban Drilling?” 3:26 Min. by Alberta NPD, March 20, 2014
NDP’s Rachel Notley takes on the PC’s Diana McQueen on the years old promise of Urban Drilling Policy for Alberta, turned to “task force” announced March 19, 2014 suddenly changed to “round table.”
WARNING! PC Round tables = Synergy Alberta propaganda to silence concerned and or harmed Albertans. Synergy only and always serves the oil and gas industry, no matter what.
Source: FrackingCanada Fracking Calgary
Years ago, Synergy Alberta and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers made many promises to “listen to Albertans” at “round tables” and create [voluntary] “best practices.” Albertans remain waiting for the promises to materialize while behind closed doors, real laws and regulations continue to be deregulated until soon there will only be broken promises left. Slide above from Ernst presentation September 22, 2012, Whitehorse, Yukon
Source: Lethbridge Herald, March 15, 2014
Source: Lethbridge Herald, February 24, 2014
September 25, 2011: Front Page Lethbridge Herald: ‘Frack hell is imminent’ ]