Energy Policy

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Our relationship with the oil and gas industry is vital. Alberta’s oil and gas resources belong to the people of Alberta, and we rely on the industry to develop those resources. The oil and gas industry is the backbone of Alberta’s economy. With that in mind we have consulted in detail with members of the oil and gas industry. We have offered proposals, we have asked for suggestions, and we have listened to their advice.

Our oil and gas policy is based on five fundamental principles.

  • That the health of the Alberta economy is inextricably tied to the health of the energy industry;
  • That the Alberta Liberals view the energy industry as a positive force in Alberta;
  • That the energy industry requires certainty, sustainability, consistency and effectiveness in regulation and policy;
  • That energy policy and royalty rates should be determined in consultation with the industry, be based in fact, and be competitive;
  • That a responsible government and the Alberta energy industry will work together to ensure good stewardship of the environment.

To see how these principles shape our policy, read Revitalizing Oil and Gas.

Energy Responses & Questions

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31 January 2012

Statement: Sherman on pipelines

Yesterday interim federal Liberal leader Bob Rae suggested that he does not approve the construction of the Northern Gateway oil pipeline. Alberta Liberals respect Mr. Rae, but he is on the wrong side of this issue.

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19 January 2012

Cold snap reveals mismanagement of Alberta power grid

Calgary – Official Opposition Energy Critic Kent Hehr says this week’s bone-freezing temperatures will chill Albertans even further when they see their power bills spike a couple of months from now – and those higher bills come courtesy of the PCs and their mismanagement of the power grid.

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09 January 2012

Hehr stands up for Northern Gateway Pipeline

Alberta Liberals defend energy sector and expanded capacity to export markets

Edmonton - As hearings into the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline from the Alberta oilsands to the B.C. coast get under way, Official Opposition Deputy Leader Kent Hehr is expressing his support for the project and those like it. 

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08 December 2011

Protection of Personal Health Information/Recovery of Tight Gas and Tight Oil (December 7)

Dr. Taft: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. For the second time this week we’ve heard of a health professional, driven by passion and revenge, grossly violating the privacy of innocent people’s health records.

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07 December 2011

incremental Ethane Extraction Program (December 6)

Mr. Hehr: The Premier promised full public disclosure about changes to the incremental ethane extraction program, eventually approved by cabinet, but documents obtained clearly show that government staffers were writing press releases with industry prior to the approval.

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05 December 2011

Regulated Rate Option for Electricity/Funding for Private Schools (December 1)

Mr. Hehr: Mr. Speaker, Albertans see electricity prices spike, and we hear that the minister is not happy about it. But what does he do about it?

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01 December 2011

Elecricity Prices/Secular Public Education in Greater St. Albert (November 30)

Mr. Hehr: Mr. Speaker, just in time for Christmas Alberta citizens are seeing their power rates jacked up by 48 per cent.

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25 November 2011

Bitumen Royalty in Kind Program/Funding for Private Schools (November 24)

Mr. Hehr: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Energy. It just appears that the left hand of his government does not know what the right hand is doing.

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