ID: 2089
Presenting Author: Juliana da Costa Lenz Cesar
Session: 586 - Policy and regulation changes: building public trust in EIA systems
Status: pending
The speaker will share the case of Alberta, where different stakeholder groups have shown diverse reactions to the same policy changes in the project approval process.
Significant changes in the policies and regulations related to renewable energy project approvals in Alberta (Canada) in the last three years have required a great deal of adaptability and flexibility from EA practitioners. Processes that were once considered simple and predictable are now more complex and uncertain, resulting in longer approval processes that include increased public scrutiny.
In terms of public trust in EA systems in this context, renewable energy developers have been evidently affected. The drastic reduction of project submissions clearly shows that Alberta is no longer as attractive to renewable projects as it was prior to 2023. However, this decline reflects more than a loss of confidence in EA systems — it also highlights broader regulatory uncertainty. The introduction of new reclamation requirements, including for existing facilities, has further eroded the industry’s trust, as they face unpredictability regarding obligations even for projects in operation.
However, other groups, such as landowners and municipalities, are sometimes overlooked in these discussions. These groups’ reactions to the recent changes in the regulatory requirements for renewable energy projects’ approvals in Alberta can be considered largely positive or cautious, despite a broader mistrust of how Alberta has historically handled oil and gas projects, particularly regarding end-of-life liabilities.
Based on these conflicting reactions, suggestions on how to assess the effects of regulatory changes on the public trust in EA systems are proposed.
Biologist, 29+ years of experience in environmental consulting and management. Master’s degree in Environmental Science, extensive experience with projects from different sectors, conducted 50+ enviro