Rural landowners call for action to cleanup orphan oil wells

WARBURG -- A community town hall was held this week to decry the province's plan to double oil and gas production.

The event -- which featured dozens of local farmers and ranchers -- included discussions about the Alberta Government's Mature Asset Strategy, as well as its plans to boost oil and gas production with newly proposed pipelines. 

According to the residents in attendance as well as members of the Alberta Surface Rights Federation, the province needs to pump the brakes on their plans to boost production until all of the current orphaned oil wells on private lands are fully cleaned up. 

Bill Heidecker -- President of the Alberta Surface Rights Federation -- says that failure to clean up the current wells prior to ramping up production will only compound the issues faced by local landowners. 

"Unless these issues are addressed, there can be no consideration of increased production, pipelines, or carbon capture," said Heidecker. "It makes no sense. If we do that, we're simply adding on to the current problems."

One of the main issues discussed at this week's town hall related to the Mature Asset Strategy, which has been a subject of immense controversy. Just a few weeks ago, environmental advocacy groups in Alberta held a virtual meeting denouncing the MAS, saying that it would effectively shift the costs of oil well cleanups from corporations to the taxpayers. This comes as Premier Danielle Smith's recent mandate letter to Energy Minister Brian Jean stated that she wishes to see the Mature Asset Strategy legislated this fall. 

"If we're going to have a province that's the future of energy, these guys need to fulfill their commitment," said Heidecker. "They aren't, they haven't, and worse, they're trying to welch on the deal. That's where we're at right now. And, they've got the province doing their dirty work." 

Heidecker says that the proposed strategy will let industry off the hook at the expense of landowners, municipalities, and taxpayers. He adds that Premier Smith's plans for a new pipeline should be paused until a concrete cleanup plan has been set in stone.

"The message has to be get your house in order," said Heidecker. "No cleanup, no pipeline. That's what the message has to be."

Independent MLA Peter Guthrie was also on hand during the town hall to take questions from concerned landowners.