EDMONTON – As of this month, Alberta’s Energy Regulator has new responsibilities and new inspectors.
Different inspectors from other regulatory bodies will now be working with pipeline inspectors.
“We take the safety of pipelines incredibly seriously in this province,” said Alberta Energy Regulator’s Carrie Rosa. “Having more inspectors will ensure development is safe and responsible.”
“Already the efficiencies are beginning. It’s really very exciting,” said Inspector Rondine Cabot.
“We’re picking up those efficiencies where we see something on site we can cover off other regulatory requirements now that we’re all one big happy family,” added another inspector, Jeff Cran.
But environmental groups say it’s nowhere near enough. Greenpeace thinks Alberta needs to increase inspections at least 10 fold as a start.
“We need to beef up the number of inspectors in the province. If we’re going to have this number of pipelines, you need the safety systems to match,” said Mike Hudema of Greenpeace.
“We’re talking at least a 10-fold increase to be close. We are ridiculously low in how frequent pipelines are inspected.”
The regulator disputes those claims.
“We do have enough personnel, I believe, to ensure the safe and orderly development of oil and gas in this province,” said Rosa.
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Amidst the safety debate, inspectors on the ground are satisfied their efforts and these changes will help everyone.
“I know that it’s being done safely in a manner that the product that’s going into the pipe is going to stay in the pipe,” said Cabot.
With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News
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