Environment groups ask Federal Court to force minister’s hand on caribou protection

EDMONTON — Environment Minister Peter Kent’s failure to reconsider emergency protection for woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta has prompted environmental groups to ask for the Federal Court’s help.

Six months ago, the Court called Minister Kent’s decision not to recommend emergency protection for woodland caribou “out of the blue,” and ruled that it ignored scientific evidence and must be set aside. The Minister was instructed to reconsider the government’s position, but has yet to show any signs of activity on the file.

Ecojustice, on behalf of the Pembina Institute and Alberta Wilderness Association, has asked the Court to amend its ruling to include a deadline to force a response from the Minister. Read more »

Posted January 25, 2012 by AEN

Pembina reacts to Obama administration's denial of Keystone XL pipeline

EDMONTON — Ed Whittingham, executive director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the Obama administration’s denial of the application for the Keystone XL pipeline:

“In denying the Keystone XL project, President Obama has recognized the risks this project could pose to the health and safety of the American people and to the environment, and the need to adequately review those concerns. Due public process is critical to making an informed decision.

Read more »

Posted January 18, 2012 by AEN

New report finds Alberta must strengthen emissions rules to meet climate commitments

CALGARY — In the most comprehensive assessment of Alberta’s climate change policies to date, a new report by the Pembina Institute concludes that Alberta’s current approach will deliver less than one third of the greenhouse gas reductions the Government of Alberta has committed to, but strengthening current policies could enable the province to meet its climate targets. Read more »

Posted December 16, 2011 by AEN

Pembina reacts to additional review of proposed Keystone XL pipeline

CALGARY — Dan Woynillowicz, spokesperson for the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of State's announcement regarding additional review of the Keystone XL pipeline: Read more »

Posted November 10, 2011 by AEN

Pembina reacts to launch of Alberta’s new oilsands information portal

CALGARY — Simon Dyer, policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the launch of the Government of Alberta's new oilsands information portal:

"We welcome measures by the Government of Alberta to improve the accessibility and transparency of some key oilsands performance measures.

 

Read more »

Posted November 10, 2011 by AEN

Alberta court denies Maxim coal plant challenge

CALGARY — An Alberta court has rejected Ecojustice's challenge, launched on behalf of the Pembina Institute, of the Alberta Utilities Commission's (AUC) approval of a controversial coal-fired power plant expansion.

In June, the AUC endorsed an expansion of Maxim Power Corp.'s Milner plant in Grande Cache, Alta., a move that could allow the company to avoid new federal greenhouse gas regulations that effectively require a 50 per cent cut in emissions. Read more »

Posted October 21, 2011 by AEN

Pembina reacts to new report from federal environment commissioner

OTTAWA — Matt Horne, director of the Pembina Institute's climate change program, made the following statement concerning Chapter 1, "Climate Change Plans under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act," of the 2011 October report by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development:  

"The federal government has repeatedly exaggerated the effectiveness of its policies to limit greenhouse gas pollution, and now admits its plan will be 90 per cent less effective than it first claimed. Further, the government has ignored the legal requirement to explain how it will make up for this gap.
 

Read more »

Posted October 5, 2011 by AEN

Alberta court to decide if it will hear Maxim coal plant challenge

CALGARY — Tomorrow, an Alberta court will hear an Ecojustice application to appeal Maxim Power Corp.’s controversial Milner coal plant expansion.

The groups seek to overturn the Alberta Utilities Commission’s (AUC) hasty approval of the Milner project, which allows Maxim to avoid incoming federal greenhouse gas regulations.

Ecojustice, on behalf the Pembina Institute, will appear before the Court of Appeal of Alberta tomorrow. The hearing will determine if the appeal can proceed or not. Read more »

Posted October 4, 2011 by AEN