Kathleen Ganley speaks during a press conference in Edmonton on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON – Alberta’s New Democrat Opposition wants public consultations on a government plan that would subsidize oil and gas companies to fulfil legal commitments to clean up old wells, a major proponent of which has been working directly in Premier Danielle Smith’s office for months. "The fox has entered the henhouse," said energy critic Kathleen Ganley. Ganley said that it appears the United Conservative government has already made up its mind to bring in the RStar program, despite criticism from an array of outside experts, rural municipalities and internal government analysts. RELATED STORIES "All indications are the government has made their decision," Ganley said. "There should be public consultations." Under RStar, companies would earn valuable credits for remediating old wells even though the obligation to clean up a well is part of the licence to drill it. That credit could be sold or applied against revenue earned from new production to reduce provincial royalties. Alberta Energy spokesman Scott Johnston confirmed RStar remains on the agenda. “Alberta Energy has been actively working on options for a reclamation incentive pilot program," he said […]
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