Industrial Water Consumption

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) – Norwary's Statoil ASA faces charges in Canada of diverting water for use at its oil sands operations in northern Alberta, the province's government said on Thursday.

Alberta said the Norwegian state-owned oil company contravened parts of its water license and provided false or misleading information regarding water withdrawals at its facility near Conklin.

The province's environment ministry said in a statement 19 charges relate to separate incidents in 2008 through 2010. It did not specify the penalties the company could face.

The company is slated to appear in court in Edmonton on April 6. Peter Symons, a Statoil spokesman, the company is taking the charges seriously.

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The Alberta government is failing in its constitutional duty to properly notify First Nations of oilsands leases on their traditional lands -a practice that could lead to a Supreme Court challenge, says a University of Calgary aboriginal law expert.

Nigel Bankes, who is also the university's chair of Natural Resources Law, said the government's policy of simply posting lease sales online and not going to First Nations directly doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

"I'd say the province isn't doing a good job," Bankes said. "Particularly when it comes to granting oilsands rights, because they basically say, 'We can fulfil our duty simply by posting stuff on our website.' I don't think that's real consultation."

The issue is a part of a number of cases being brought to Alberta's courts by Athabasca River aboriginal communities who are fighting the pace of oilsands development.... Read more »

(Reuters) - Norwary's Statoil ASA faces charges in Canada of diverting water for use at its oil sands operations in northern Alberta, the province's government said on Thursday.

Alberta said the Norwegian state-owned oil company contravened parts of its water license and provided false or misleading information regarding water withdrawals at its facility near Conklin.

The province's environment ministry said in a statement 19 charges relate to separate incidents in 2008 through 2010. It did not specify the penalties the company could face.

The company is slated to appear in court in Edmonton on April 6. Peter Symons, a Statoil spokesman, the company is taking the charges seriously.... Read more »

Do you have an interest in clean and healthy lakes and rivers? If so, we would like you to join with us from March 14 to 22 as we celebrate Healthy Rivers, Living Lakes during our inaugural Canada Water Week! Taking part is easy! There are endless opportunities to get involved: organize an art exhibit or concert; screen a documentary; host a water stewardship event; organize a public rally to unite voices for clean water in your community; or simply enjoy your favourite river or lake with family, neighbours and friends.   What is Canada Water Week?

OTTAWA — The Harper government will unveil its plan to crack down on industrial pollution — including greenhouse gas emissions from the oilsands — before the end of 2011, Environment Minister Peter Kent said Friday.

Responding to new statistics from his department that suggest Canada is on pace to miss its new climate change target for 2020 by nearly 30 per cent, Kent said further announcements this year will bring the goal within reach, following recent measures such as new standards increasing renewable fuel content in gasoline and tailpipe emissions regulations for new passenger vehicles.

"Our target is to bring in the other proposed regs (regulations) by the end of the year," Kent said in an interview with Postmedia News. "It's not going to be easy.... Read more »