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Report finds oilsands impact less harmful than accusations

While there is much room for improvement, a major challenge on greenhouse gas emissions and a lot of work ahead, Alberta's oilsands are not causing a lot of the environmental disasters portrayed by some environmental groups, suggest the findings released today by an expert panel of scientists commissioned by the Royal Society of Canada.

There is no credible evidence that Fort Chipewyan residents are getting cancer from exposure to the oilsands, nor is oilsands development harming the Athabasca River or the region's air quality, says a recently released report by a panel of academics.

Current industrial water use demands do not threaten the viability of the Athabasca River system if the Water Management Framework is fully implemented and enforced, the report says.

Oilsands development is not a current threat to the aquatic ecosystem viability; however, valid concerns about the current Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program must be addressed and environmental data access for cumulative impact assessment needs to improve, according to the 438-page report, entitled Environmental and Health Impacts of Canada's Oil Sands Industry.

Current ambient air quality monitoring for the region show minimal impacts from oilsands development except for noxious odour emissions. Concerns over acid-forming emissions and other pollutants will need to be dealt with, the report says, noting that regional acidification is a valid concern.

The Royal Society of Canada's report says new technologies to reclaim tailings are emerging but not fast enough to stop tailings ponds from growing. Also Albertans are at risk of having to pay for oilsands project reclamation as current practices on obtaining financial security for reclamation leave the province vulnerable to major financial risks.

The report also notes that the health of oilsands projects' neighbours, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo residents, is poorer due to living in a "boom town" with infrastructure deficits.

Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner lauded the report. He called it a comprehensive, constructive look at the province's oilsands that "raises a number of issues that require attention — some of which are already being addressed — and puts into perspective the actual impacts of oilsands development."

Renner said the expert panel put into context the actual water quantity, water quality and health impacts of oilsands development. The well-balanced report has helped give the government direction for future priorities, he said.

Environmental organizations responded with renewed calls to rein in further oilsands development.

"The Alberta and Federal governments have already approved a doubling of oilsands developments,” said Simon Dyer, policy director for the Pembina Institute. “All new approvals should be halted until the shortcomings are addressed and independent monitoring systems and environmental limits are put in place.”

Dustin Johnson, energy campaigner with Sierra Club Canada, criticized the report’s lack of original research. “It depended on inadequate and often industry-provided data,” he said, adding, “This report helps to justify why we need to see a moratorium on new tarsands projects until more holistic information can be gathered and assessed.”

The report's executive summary, available here. says:

• There is currently no credible evidence of environmental contaminant exposure from oilsands reaching Fort Chipewyan at levels expected to cause elevated human cancer rates. More monitoring focused on human contaminant exposures is needed to address First Nation and community concerns.

• There is, however, evidence that Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo residents have poorer health than residents of comparable communities. This is consistent with "boom town" impacts and community infrastructure deficits, it says.

• Current industrial water use demands do not threaten the viability of the Athabasca River system if the Water Management Framework developed to protect in-stream, ecosystem flow needs is fully implemented and enforced.

• Technologies for improved tailings management are emerging but the rate of improvement has not prevented a growing inventory of tailings ponds. Reclamation and management options for wet landscapes derived from tailings ponds have been researched but are not adequately demonstrated. The current ambient air quality monitoring data for the region show minimal impacts from oilsands development on regional air quality except for noxious odour emission problems over the past two years. Control of nitrogen oxide emissions and regional acidification potential remain valid concerns.

• Progress has been made by the oilsands industry in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions per barrel of bitumen produced. Nonetheless, increasing emissions from growing bitumen production creates a major challenge for Canada to meet its international commitments for overall emission reduction that current technology options do not resolve.

• The environmental regulatory capacity of the Alberta and Canadian governments does not appear to have kept pace with the rapid expansion of the oilsands industry over the past decade. The environmental impact assessment process relied upon by decision-makers to determine whether proposed projects are in the public interest has serious deficiencies in relation to international best practice.

• Reclamation is not keeping pace with the rate of land disturbance but research indicates sustainable uplands reclamation is achievable and ultimately should be able to support traditional land uses. Current practices for obtaining financial security for reclamation liability leave Albertans vulnerable to major financial risks.

The Royal Society of Canada commissioned the report in 2009, mandating a panel of Canadian scientists, chaired by Dr. Steve Hrudey, a professor of analytical and environmental toxicology at the University of Alberta, to review the evidence on the effects of oilsands development, and identify the unknowns from a scientific perspective.

Members of the panel included professors of environmental and occupational health, environmental sciences, economics, hydrogeology, zoology and oilsands engineering from the universities of Alberta, Laval and Guelph.

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