Royal Oak residents rally against oil well near homes, POLICY REVIEW PLANNED FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN URBAN CENTRES

Royal Oak residents rally against oil well near homes, POLICY REVIEW PLANNED FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN URBAN CENTRES by M. Potkins, June 24, 2012, Calgary Herald
Despite the drizzling rain, more than 100 Rocky Ridge and Royal Oak residents gathered to voice their concerns about Kaiser Exploration’s well near a Walmart off Country Hills. A cheer went up from protesters when Calgary North-West MLA Sandra Jansen announced the province is considering a new policy for drilling within municipal bounds. “Energy minister Ken Hughes has indicated to me that they have begun the process of working on an urban policy for oil and gas development,” said Jansen. “This is one of the most important things in this community, and our government listened…whatever we craft here is going to be a watershed for this province.” … “A review of policy options will allow us to ensure we find the appropriate balance between opportunities for responsible resource development and respect for the interests of Albertans and property owners,” Hughes said in a letter Friday. … Resident Brenda McGahey said she’s worried about an evacuation in the event of an accident or toxic leak. “There’s only two routes out of here…to get thousands of individuals out of here would be difficult. We need to know what their evacuation plan is and they don’t have one,” she said. … The ERCB is expected to complete its review of the Kaiser project before the end of August.