The requirements for the life of mine closure plans outlined in SED 003 now supersede the conservation and reclamation aspects of “Part 2: Renewals” and “Part 3: Amendments of the Guide to Content for Energy Project Applications under EPEA.”
The overlapping guide to content application requirements will be met by submission of a life of mine closure plan in accordance with SED 003.
Albertans care deeply about how energy resource development will affect their environment and safety, and rightly so. As the sole regulator of the energy resource industry, we must ensure that our air, land, water, and biodiversity are protected through strong regulatory oversight.
The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) supports and promotes the protection, enhancement, and wise use of the environment. We are responsible for reviewing EPEA applications and regulatory submissions related to energy resource development. As part of this process, we review the potential impacts of a proposed project on the environment and determine if safe development can happen.
Our EPEA responsibilities are specific to energy and mineral resource development. We are responsible for projects and activities including oil sands mines, coal mines, in situ oil sands plants, upgraders, gas plants, power plants in respect of energy and mineral resource development activities, bulk petroleum storage facilities, and pipelines. The Activities Designation Regulation specifies the level of authorization required for activities regulated under EPEA (e.g., notice, registration, approval). We also review air, wastewater, groundwater, soils, and decommissioning and reclamation reports associated with these projects and activities.
Our requirements ensure that public safety and environmental protection stay top of mind throughout the entire life cycle of energy resource development.
We also have a team dedicated to emergency preparedness and response, and our inspectors and investigators work hard to ensure that companies mitigate potential risks and are able to respond immediately should an incident occur.
If we find a company is not following regulations under the EPEA, we will enforce compliance through various tools.
Read our fact sheet for more information about how we regulate under the EPEA.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) is responsible for regulating under EPEA as it relates to oil refineries, standalone power plants (except a standalone power plant producing thermal electrical power from a geothermal resource as defined in the Geothermal Resource Development Act), and other EPEA activities not within the AER’s jurisdiction. AEPA also sets policy direction to support environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
Submit an Application
Companies must submit their application (or amendment) and associated documents by email to @email. The documents must be in PDF format. All applications must include the following:
To assist applicants, we have supporting forms and guides for specific activities at the bottom of this page, and a Guide to Content for Energy Project Applications document. We may waive requirements that do not apply to a proposed project. Applicants can apply to amend an approval at any time.
Review Process
Transfers, Suspensions, and Cancellations
An approval cannot be transferred without our written consent. Applications for transfer should be emailed to @email. We can add terms and conditions in the transfer of an EPEA approval to a new approval holder.
An approval may be suspended or cancelled upon request by the AER or the approval holder, or through an enforcement order.
Term Timelines
We can issue an approval for a maximum of ten years; however, we can also set a shorter term. See the Environmental Protection and Enhancement (Miscellaneous) Regulation (section 7) for details.
Security
Before undertaking activities related to mines, the applicant or approval holder may be asked to provide financial security. In the event that terms of the approval or legislation are breached by the applicant, we will be entitled to use the security to remedy the deficiencies.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are built into our application process. Once a company submits an EIA report, our staff will review it to identify uncertainties or risks.
AEP maintains a registry of recent and historical environmental assessment projects.
Reporting
A number of reports must be submitted under EPEA approvals. See the following documents for more information:
Companies must use the following guides, forms, and other supporting information when applying for development under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act .
Please be aware that forms may be removed from this page as we continue to transfer application processes to OneStop.
Application Guides
Applicants for industrial activities identified in Schedule 1, Divisions 1, 2, and 3, of the Activities Designation Regulation should refer to the following:
Companies must thoroughly review the guide before submitting an application for approval. Applications that are complete will result in a more efficient review process.
Companies must also follow the applicable code of practice for registrations or notifications.
Forms
Specified Enactment Direction
Additional Guides and Supporting Information
The information (including data) contained herein was collected and is maintained by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). Use of this information and other information (collectively the "content") is governed by the terms and conditions set ("Terms of Use"). Any access to or use of the content constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
The AER has not verified and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information or data in this document or that it will be suitable for any particular purpose or use. The AER in not responsible for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in the information or data and is not liable for any direct or indirect losses arising out of any use of this information. For additional information about the limitations and restrictions applicable to this document, please refer to the AER Copyright and Disclaimer webpage.
While efforts have been made to ensure that the content is complete, accurate and current, the AER and their agents and employees are not liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the possession, access to, publication, use of, or reliance on, that information or data. This information (including data) is provided without expressed or implied warranty.
