Environmental Assessment Process

Overview

Environmental assessment is required where the complexity and scale of a proposed project, technology, resource allocation, or siting considerations create uncertainty about the exact nature of environmental effects, or result in a potential for significant adverse environmental effects.

The Environmental Assessment process allows companies and government decision makers to examine the effects that a proposed project may have on the environment. The information gathered during the process helps the appropriate Regulatory Board determine if the project is in the public interest.

As of October 1, 2014, the Alberta Energy Regulator is responsible for environmental assessments related to upstream oil and gas and coal development in the province.

• Alberta Energy Regulator
  See below for contact information

Alberta Environment and Parks will continue to maintain a single register of all environmental assessment activity information on this website (see Summary of Environmental Assessment Activity).

• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) available online

Process

• Alberta's Environmental Assessment Process
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary of Environmental Assessment Terms and Acronyms Used in Alberta
• Guide to Preparing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports in Alberta
• Guide to Providing Comments on Proposed Terms of Reference
• Guide to Reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports
• Preparing Disclosure Documents for EA Screenings
• Preparing for and Submitting an EIA Report
• Preparing a Project Summary Table
• Project Summary Table – Alberta Environment and Parks (DOCX, 25 KB)
• Project Summary Table – Alberta Energy Regulator (DOCX, 18 KB)
• Standardized Terms of Reference

Assessment Information

• List of Completed EIAs by Activity (PDF, 388 KB)
• List of Completed EIAs by Date (PDF, 389 KB)
• List of Completed EIAs by Proponent (PDF, 387 KB)
• Summary of Environmental Assessment Activity - Current Projects
• Summary of Environmental Assessment Activity - Historical Projects

Legislation

• Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (See sections 39-59)
• Environmental Assessment Regulation (112/93)
• Mandatory and Exempted Activities Regulation (111/93)
• Responsible Energy Development Act
• Water Act (See Section 16 and 17)

Federal/Provincial Cooperation

In 1999, the governments of Canada and Alberta signed a cooperative agreement to avoid duplication and ensure that environmental assessments are conducted as efficiently and effectively as possible.

• Canada-Alberta Agreement for Environmental Assessment Cooperation
• 2008 Annual Report - Canada-Alberta Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation (2005)
• Canadian Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and regulations

Contact

Connect with Environmental Assessment for further details on the Environmental Assessment process for non-energy related activities or to report issues with this website:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-5828
Email: [email protected]

Connect with the Alberta Energy Regulator for information on the Environmental Assessment Process for oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal resources:

Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-855-297-8311
Email: [email protected]