Oil and Gas – Industrial Zone Designation
Alberta Environment and Parks released the Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone Directive (the “Heartland Directive”) effective October 1, 2022. The Heartland Directive was developed to improve regulatory consistency and achieve targeted environmental outcomes within the Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone (“Industrial Zone”). The Industrial Zone is northeast of Edmonton and includes all or portions of the cities of Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan and the counties of Lamont, Strathcona, and Sturgeon. The Heartland Directive focuses on aligning conditions under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (“EPEA”) for all facilities within the Industrial Zone and clarifies requirements for proponents interested in operating within the Industrial Zone.
In addition to currently applicable legislation, effective October 1, 2022, the AER will apply the Heartland Directive to all new EPEA approvals and renewals. As of October 1, 2022, existing AER approval holders operating within the Industrial Zone may request a voluntary EPEA renewal to apply the Heartland Directive.
