The Alberta government has established a committee to explore methods for expediting the rehabilitation of the province’s growing tailings ponds in the oil sands. The six-member committee, tasked with examining policies and options to facilitate safe and timely reclamation, includes experts from various sectors. The committee will collaborate with an external facilitator but has no set deadline for reporting. Despite previous research and initiatives, the issue persists, prompting criticism from environmental groups. Oil sands producers have filed reclamation plans with the Alberta Energy Regulator, though they rely on unproven technology. Some tailings ponds exceed 300 square kilometers in size and continue to expand. The committee’s members represent diverse perspectives, including a First Nations chief, an engineering professor, and an oil and gas executive.
