EDMONTON – The provincial government has appointed six people with varied backgrounds to serve as commissioners for the Alberta Energy Regulator.
The appointees have experience in farming, drinking water safety, environmental law and public service.
They will sit on panels, conduct hearings and preside over energy project applications, reconsiderations, inquiries and appeals.
Bringing their farming experience to the regulator are Terry Engen and Jurgen Preugschas.
Steve Hrudey, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, is a recognized authority on drinking water safety and environmental contaminants.
Cecilia Low and Lorne Ternes practise environmental, aboriginal and trade law, while John Lawson served for more than 21 years with the Yukon government.
Read the full AER release below:
Appointees bring new perspectives to energy regulator
New appointments by the Redford government to the Alberta Energy Regulator will bring additional environmental, landowner and legal experience to the roster of hearing commissioners.
“We have built a team that brings a wealth of experience in many fields to usher in a new era of energy regulating for the province,” said Energy Minister Ken Hughes. “This team will ensure that Alberta is a leader in balancing resource growth with our strong commitments to the environment and to landowner rights.”
The part-time hearing commissioners include Terry C. Engen and Jurgen Preugshas, who bring generations of farming experience to the regulator, and Dr. Steve Hrudey, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta and a recognized authority on drinking water safety and environmental contaminant exposure assessments. Appointees Cecilia Low and Lorne J. Ternes bring lengthy experience as lawyers practising in environmental, Aboriginal and trade law. John Lawson, who served for more than 21 years with the Government of Yukon, will bring a strong background in public service to the regulator, having served as Deputy Minister of Justice, Consumer and Corporate Affairs and Executive Council.
The independent hearing commissioners will sit on panels, conduct hearings and make decisions on energy resource project applications, reconsiderations, inquires and appeals. Commissioners will also have a role in the alternative dispute resolution process.
With a mandate to provide for the efficient, safe, orderly and environmentally responsible development of energy resources, the Alberta Energy Regulator is responsible for regulating the life cycle of an energy project from application and construction to production, abandonment, and reclamation.
Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta’s resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.