The Alberta government has appointed new board members for the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
The board of directors will focus increasing stability within the AER in order to aid the energy industry navigate the COVID-19 epidemic and current economic conditions, a government release stated.
“During our review of the AER, we heard – loudly and clearly – that our government should appoint a new board of directors. We have followed through, and, in the near future, we will announce other initiatives we’re taking to improve the AER’s mandate, governance and system operations. In the meantime, these appointees will help ensure Alberta’s regulatory system is stable and efficient,” Alberta minister of environment and parks Jason Nixon said.
David Goldbie is the chair of the board and has more than 30 years experience in the oil and gas industry. He is a professional geologist with an MBA from the University of Calgary and is currently a member of the AER’s interim board of directors.
Georgette Habib is a former full-time board member of the National Energy Board and has more than 30 years of experience in energy regulation at the federal and provincial level and is also currently a member of the interim AER board of directors.
Jude Daniels has worked in the energy sector as both legal counsel and in Aboriginal relations since 1998. She also led the first cross-ministry team tasked to develop the original First Nations Consultation Policy for the Government of Alberta.
Gary Leach formerly served as president of the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada, and Tracy McCrimmon is the executive director of Sundre Petroleum Operators Group.
Corrina Bryson currently serves on the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, Emissions Reduction Alberta, and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission. Beverly Yee is deputy minister of Environment and Parks, appointed to the role in September 2018 after serving as deputy minister of Intergovernmental Relations and Agriculture and Forestry.
“The new board will bring a steady hand to the AER during these unprecedented economic times. We want to ensure that there is a well-functioning regulator in place. With the leadership provided by the new board, Alberta will continue to be a responsible resource developer,” Alberta minister of energy Sonya Savage said.
All of the appointees will serve for five-year terms starting April 15.
It is sad that the AER does not have someone on the board of directors who has been involved in oil and gas operations at the field level and witnessed the devastation that the constant increase in regulations has had on oil and gas companies. All these people that have been placed on the BOD have not been exposed or understand the devastation a lot of those over zealous regulations have caused. I have talked to numerous AER personnel at the field level that admit they are over regulated and are driving companies/investors out of Canada. We need some one in there with some common sense and operations experience to have a voice. A lot of the regulations forced on the industry are outrageous and over kill. Those regulations and what has helped devastate the oil and gas industry in Alberta!!!
Four submissions later to secure a board position with AER seems about standard however little actual Oil&Gas hands on working with Producers at the C Suite in strategy, organizational effectiveness and Production optimization experience is desired. Seems more Regulatory experience is a requirement. Sad actually. So be it. Good luck.