Rallying for Alberta: Calgarians Demand Environmental Action
Calgary, Alberta – A passionate crowd gathered recently, in Calgary, sending a clear message to provincial leaders: ramp up environmental protections now. Organized by the Coalition for Responsible Energy (C4RE), the rally specifically highlighted the urgent need to address climate concerns and the escalating costs associated with abandoned oil and gas wells across Alberta.
C4RE, a diverse group including landowners, scientists, Indigenous communities, and environmental organizations, formed due to concerns about the Alberta Energy Regulator's (AER) ability to responsibly oversee energy development. They advocate for prioritizing the health of Alberta's ecosystems and communities over corporate interests, pushing for comprehensive changes to how the fossil fuel industry is regulated. The coalition has notably challenged the 2025 orphan well levy, arguing it should be significantly higher to cover cleanup costs.
The issue of abandoned wells is substantial, with an estimated 172,236 wells inactive or abandoned across the province as of December 2022. The financial burden for cleaning up these sites, which could reach up to $260 billion, often falls to taxpayers, despite the province's stated "polluter-pays" principle.
While Alberta has introduced climate strategies like the 2015 Climate Leadership Plan and the 2023 Emissions Reduction and Energy Development (ERED) plan, the implementation of these initiatives has seen mixed progress. Calgarians at the rally underscored that greater, more decisive action is needed to secure a sustainable future for the province.
