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The Proposed Kearl Oil Sands Mine Development Project:
Federal Government Awards Participant Funding
OTTAWA, August 10, 2006 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has awarded a total of $100,000 to four applicants to support their participation in the joint environmental assessment review of the proposed Kearl Oil Sands Mine Development Project in Northern Alberta.
The funds will assist the successful recipients to prepare for and participate in the joint public hearings on the environmental effects of the project. The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) application will serve as the basis for the joint panel’s review of the project. A joint review panel comprised of members of the EUB and a member appointed by the federal Minister of the Environment will review the project starting this fall.
The recipients are: the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Industrial Relations Corporation; the Mikisew Cree First Nation; the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition; and the Métis Nation of Alberta - Local 1935.
A funding review committee, independent of the environmental assessment process, was established to examine all funding applications received for this project. All of the Committee's recommendations are unanimous and are contained in the report of the Funding Review Committee. The report, along with further information on the project, is available on the Agency’s Web site.
Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited and ExxonMobil Canada Properties are proposing to construct and operate an oil sand mining and extraction facility. The project consists of four mine pits to be mined over the period 2010 to 2060. The proposed Kearl Oil Sands Development Project is to be located approximately 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. The project is expected to produce 300,000 barrels (approximately 48,000 cubic metres) per calendar day of clean bitumen. The application seeks approval for a maximum production of approximately 345,000 barrels (55,000 cubic metres) per calendar day.
For more information on the Participant Funding Program, please contact:
Suzanne Osborne
Acting Manager, Participant Funding Program
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0254
Fax: 613-957-0496
suzanne.osborne@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
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Media may contact:
Gordon Harris
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0825
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