Alberta's Integrated Energy Vision

COMMENT Sheik Ralph Klein of the Independent Alberta Emirate has spoken. It's business as usual extracting fossil fuels, but this time we're bigger and better. No mere supplier of energy to the US - now we're world class!

Minister Unveils Alberta's Integrated Energy Vision

August 25, 2006

Today the Minister of Energy unveiled Alberta's Integrated Energy Vision.

The Vision provides a high level perspective of Alberta's energy future. It reflects the present realities and opportunities of the energy industry in Alberta. It is viewed as a road map to help guide future government policies and strategies related to continued energy development in Alberta.

Online form to provide comments or ideas that will help further define the Vision (no longer available)

Read Integrated Energy Vision (350 kb): (no longer available)

News Release: August 25, 2006

Government outlines long-term integrated future for Alberta's energy sector

Alberta's Integrated Energy Vision provides a new direction for Alberta's energy sector and identifies the potential long-term benefits of Alberta-based energy resource product upgrading and refining by transforming hydrocarbons into a vast array of value-added end-products. Future energy development in Alberta must also build on the strengths of its non-renewable resources such as water, wind, solar, and biomass energy resources. The document shows how innovation, attitude and a sustainable, integrated approach to Alberta's vast and diverse energy resources are key to future success.

"Traditionally we've looked at Alberta's resource wealth from the perspective of a series of stand-alone projects. By taking an integrated approach to energy development, efficiency, and conservation we can help the industry reach its full potential, and provide enhanced long-term economic benefits and value-added jobs for Albertans," said Energy Minister Greg Melchin.

The Vision document also outlines that future policies must include integration and alignment of environmental and land stewardship; human resource training and development; infrastructure, research and technology efforts; and overall economic planning. It focuses on renewable as well as non-renewable resources and the opportunities to build more value-added opportunities.

Alberta's Integrated Energy Vision provides important background for the Energy Minister as he prepares for the federal, provincial and territorial Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference on August 28 and 29 in Whitehorse. Among items the ministers will discuss are: energy research and technological innovation to responsibly develop long term, reliable and competitively priced energy supplies for Canadians.

"We have the opportunity and the responsibility to make the most of our energy inheritance," said Melchin. "I want to create a dialogue about the importance of developing value-added products and expertise for both non-renewable and alternative energy sources." In developing strategies and policies to support implementation, the Department of Energy will work collaboratively with other ministries, industry and stakeholder groups.

The Integrated Energy Vision document is available via the Department of Energy website at www.energy.gov.ab.ca. An online form is available for Albertans to provide comments or ideas that will help further define the Vision.

Backgrounder

Integrated Energy Vision

Alberta is a global energy leader, using its world class knowledge, expertise, and leadership to both develop the vast energy resources of the province and to market these resources and abilities to the world.

Energy development will be focused on meeting the expectations of Albertans as the collective owners of the province's energy resources. The Vision emphasizes the need to maximize opportunity in the global energy market place so that future generations will continue to experience Alberta as the best place to live, work, and visit well into the future.

FOUR PILLARS OF THE VISION

Vast and Diverse Energy Resources

Alberta's diverse energy resources are world scale and create a wide range of development opportunities and long-term benefits for Albertans. Alberta holds a diverse resource portfolio which includes conventional oil and natural gas, oil sands, natural gas from coal, coal and other minerals. Alberta must build on the strengths of these resources, as well as integrating renewable water, wind, solar and biomass energy resources into our energy future.

Environmentally Responsible Energy Development

Albertans expect that the concept of sound long-term stewardship will be applied to all aspects of energy development both renewable and non-renewable. Responsible energy development takes a full life cycle approach with a view to a self-sustaining ecosystem. Planning for protection of the environment will be integrated with decision making around energy development. Reclamation, remediation and the management of cumulative effects are integral elements of responsible energy stewardship.

Energy Expertise

Alberta has a workforce with world-class expertise, knowledge and experience in developing energy resources that is increasingly being sought after by others around the world. We are seen as leaders in "Energy Know How."

Competitive Energy Attitude

Alberta offers a unique combination of factors that sets it apart as an energy leader. It provides a vast and diverse resource base augmented by a well-developed and sophisticated pipeline and petrochemical infrastructure, as well as superior environmental technology. This combination encourages future investment in exploration and resource development.

For more information:

The Integrated Energy Vision document is available via the Department of Energy website at www.energy.gov.ab.ca. An online form is available for Albertans to provide comments or ideas that will help further define the Vision.

News Release