Alberta is investing $50 million to boost technologies for managing oil sands tailings ponds. The funding, from the province's carbon price, will be managed by Emissions Reduction Alberta through a competition for private companies. The goal is to develop cheaper and more effective tailings and water treatment methods.
Tailings, a byproduct of bitumen extraction, pose a long-standing environmental challenge. The region contains vast volumes of fluid tailings and water. While some ponds have been reclaimed, the volume continues to grow.
Managing tailings is complex, creating environmental and financial liabilities. Some companies recycle water internally, and the sector has invested in new technologies. The new program aims to accelerate these efforts.
The competition will focus on technologies that treat wastewater, lower land reclamation costs, and reduce fresh water use. Oil sands companies are also using other methods to manage tailings. The sector awaits federal "treat-and-release" regulations.
Recent incidents of spills and leaks from tailings ponds have been reported. A study suggests the province's regulator may lack sufficient data to assess the environmental impact of these spills.
2 Comments
Eric Cartman
They should be held accountable for the spills and leaks! This funding doesn't replace accountability.
Muchacho
This feels like a delaying tactic, allowing the oil sands to continue polluting for longer. The real solution is renewable energy.