The Alberta government of Canada and its energy regulator have issued orders to resume environmental monitoring and reporting in industry, including oil patches, on July 15.
Testing and reporting had been suspended in May due to health and staffing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Environment Minister Jason Nixon says now is the time to resume, given the province is flattening the COVID-19 curve.
“The temporary reporting relief provided through Environment and Parks allowed industry time to ensure the health and safety of staff and the communities in which they work,” Nixon said in a statement. “Now that the public health emergency is no longer in effect and Alberta is reopening as part of our Phase 2 relaunch, industry can resume business while keeping communities and employees safe.”
The Alberta Energy Regulator said it is also returning to normal processes.