Alberta Energy Regulator St. Albert Field Centre Opens as Part of Province-Wide Launch to Ensure Efficient, Comprehensive Energy Regulation

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - July 11, 2013) - The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) officially opened its St. Albert Field Centre today following the Government of Alberta's proclamation of the Responsible Energy Development Act.

"Albertans take seriously that development of our abundant energy resources must be done responsibly," said Energy Minister Ken Hughes. "Nowhere is this more evident than in the dedicated work of our important field staff."

The organization is tasked with ensuring that Alberta's oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal are developed safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally responsible manner.

"AER staff are highly qualified and passionate about serving Alberta," said Chair Gerry Protti. "And we're working to supplement that staff by recruiting both at home here in Alberta and around the country, in an open, transparent and competitive process to attract those talented, committed employees who want to make a difference and work for a strong regulator."

The AER also launched a 24-hour toll free emergency response line and its new website, www.aer.ca. The toll-free phone line, 1-800-222-6514, is to be used for all energy and environmental emergencies and complaints which had previously been directed to individual field centres throughout the province and is staffed 24 hours a day. General inquiries or regulatory questions should be directed to the AER's Customer Contact Centre at 1-855-297-8311 or inquiries@aer.ca.

The new website, www.aer.ca, provides detailed information on AER requirements and initiatives. The website is smartphone compatible and includes links to social media feeds operated by the AER for information updates. The AER also launched a systems and tools portal which includes user guides and links to all AER systems, including the Data Digital Submission system, map viewers, and query tools.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

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The St. Albert Field Centre opened its doors as the Alberta Energy Regulator today as the new regulator launches across the province. The Alberta Energy Regulator will be taking on additional regulatory duties over the coming year to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and conservation of Alberta's hydrocarbon resources. The Alberta Energy Regulator was established to provide full life-cycle energy regulation for oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal development in Alberta. More information is available at www.aer.ca.