National Energy Board confirms its proposed intervenor funding program still not available

In response to a request by the Peace Environmental and Safety Trustees Society (PESTS) regarding Spectra's proposed Dawson project, the National Energy Board (NEB) has confirmed that its proposed intervenor funding program is still not in place and is not available for participation in current processes.  Because Spectra's application was filed before the program has been initiated (which the NEB says will take place in fall 2010), Spectra will not be required to deal with participants in its application that have the benefit of whatever funding is eventually made available.

Read the NEB's response to PESTS at: GH-3-2010 Letter re participant funding.

Round table raises questions about effectiveness of public participation processes in Alberta energy matters

Nickie Vlavianos is an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary.  She has recently published an article for the Canadian Institute of Resources Law's publication, "Resources", titled "The Issues and Challenges with Public Participation in Energy and Natural Resources Development in Alberta".  Professor Vlavianos outlines the themes that emerged from a round table discussion held by the Institute in April, 2010.  Among the primary issues and challenges identified at the round table were:

• the need for more effective public participation at policy and planning stages;
• the need for public participation at the Crown mineral and surface rights disposition stages;
• the need to address several aspects of existing participation processes including the question of whether stakeholder consultation by industry really amounts to public participation in energy and resources development decision making

Read the full article at: Nickie Vlavianos re public participation.