The Canadian oil sands industry produces more than one million barrels of synthetic oil per day, and output is expanding rapidly. However, the production and processing that turns the tar sands' bitumen into oil consume huge amounts of water. Each barrel of oil requires two to five barrels of water. According to a recent Pembina Institute study, mining operations have been permitted to take twice the amount of water from the Athabasca River than is used annually by Calgary, a city of 1 million people.
Shell's public affairs manager, Janet Annesley, says that her company is the newest petroleum company involved in the oil sands, and that Shell's processes are increasingly more water-efficient.The company is also making considerable strides in protecting the environment, and in post-mining restorations.
Simon Dyer, Senior Policy Analyst with the Pembina Institute, believes the situation is far worse than anyone would like to admit and current water withdrawals already threaten the integrity of the Athabasca River.
Melody Lepine is the industrial relations director for the Mikisew Cree First Nation.The Mikisew, who live 250 kilometres downstream from Fort McMurray, have long been worried about the declining level and water quality of Lake Athabasca. Ms. Lepine says band members do not drink the water from the lake because of its taste and smell.
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August 20, 2009 - Listen Now!
Simon Dyer - An update on the oil sands, the uncertainty of carbon storage
Simon Dyer, Oil Sands Program Director at the Pembina Institute talks to us about carbon capture and storage, the Athabasca River and what is being done about tailings.
February 19, 2008 - Listen Now!
Oil Sands Tailings Report
Matt Price from Environmental Defence talks to us about a recent report about the hazards related to the tailings from the Alberta Oil Sands which, as a result of their size, are now visible from space.
February 19, 2008 - Listen Now!
Mackenzie Pipeline
Sean Nixon; a lawyer with Ecojustice talks to us about a proposed natural gas pipeline from the Beaufort Sea to the Alberta Oil Sands.
November 28, 2007 - Listen Now!
New Coalition in Oil Sands Fight
Lindsay Tefler of the Sierra Club talks to us about a new community coalition dedicated to the welfare of the Athabasca River Basin and its inhabitants.
November 9, 2007 - Listen Now!
Athabasca compared to Exxon Valdez
Jeffrey W. Short, Environmental Chemist at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center talks to us about the growing pollution downstream from the oil sands, comparing it to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
November 9, 2007 - Listen Now!
Carcinogens downstream from Oil Sands
Kevin Timoney, Ecologist with Treeline Environmental Research talks about his recent study which identifies high levels of poisons downstream from the oil sands at Fort McMurray.
May 2, 2007 - Listen Now!
Protecting Groundwater
Mary Griffiths, Senior Policy Analyst at the Pembina Institute talks to us about the potential impact on groundwater resources by those drilling for coalbed methane and other forms of unconventional gas.
March 22, 2007 - Listen Now!
Oil Sands Debate Pt 2
A panel discussion with Mark Holland (L), Dennis Bevington (NDP), Tony Maas (Green), Dehcho First Nations Chief Keyna Norwegian, Simon Dyer of the Pembina Institute, and Ezra Levant, Editor of the Western Standard.
February 22, 2007 - Listen Now!
Oil Sands Expansion Debate
Panel Discussion on the proposed Oil Sands Expansion featuring Melody Lepine of Mikisew Cree First Nation, Dr. Mary Griffiths of the Pembina Institute and Ezra Levant, Publisher of the Western Standard
February 15, 2007 - Listen Now!
Oil Sands - Liberal Critic Mark Holland
Liberal Natural Resources Critic Mark Holland comments on sustainable development at the Oil Sands regarding the proposed five-fold expansion.
November 24, 2006 - Listen Now!
Bob McManus
Public Affairs for Alberta Energy talks to us about the Gateway Pipeline to British Columbia and the Oil Sands.
November 17, 2006 - Listen Now!
ALBERTAS OIL SANDS PART IV
Lisa Grotkowski from the Alberta Ministry of the Environment talks to us about the tar sands and the Athabasca River.
November 7, 2006 - Listen Now!
ALBERTAS OIL SANDS PART III
Melody Lepine - Environment Director for Mikisew Cree First Nation gives us the local perspective of the oil sands effects on the Athabasca River.
November 6, 2006 - Listen Now!
ALBERTAS OIL SANDS PART II
Simon Dyer - Senior Policy Analyst, The Pembina Institute
November 2, 2006 - Listen Now!
Janet Annesley
Public Affairs, Shell Oil Sands Division
Are the tar sands drying up Alberta?
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