The Regulatory Enhancement Project started in 2010. The province established a task force to look at how our province regulates its energy resources with a goal of creating a system that delivers the results Albertans want and that provides clarity, predictability, certainty and efficiency.
The task force, chaired by now-Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Diana McQueen, made six recommendations to government to simplify what has become an increasingly complex system.
They were:

• Establish a Policy Management Office to ensure the integration of natural resource policies, and provide an interface between policy development and policy assurance;
• Establish a single regulatory body with responsibility for oil, gas, oil sands and coal activity;
• Provide clear public engagement processes;
• Develop a systemic and common risk assessment and management approach;
• Adopt a performance measurement framework and public reporting mechanism;
• Develop an effective mechanism to address landowner concerns.

This is a made-in-Alberta approach for the responsible development of energy resources, that we are confident will stand up to international scrutiny. Our province and its resources are unlike any other, and require a unique approach that fits our needs.
Through the REP initiative, we will work to engage Albertans sooner, rather than later, in the policy development process. The new regulator will have the ability to be nimble, efficient and effective to ensure the processes are clearer and more consistent.
Through REP, we are laying the foundation for the next 50 years of rigorous, energy-related regulation in the province.

The new regulator will be established by a new Act and have broader jurisdiction over energy resource activities. It will be the decision-maker for oil, gas, oil sands and coal activity under the existing energy public lands, water and environmental statutes.
Energy projects will be regulated under the same public lands and environmental legislation as non-energy resource activities.
Government will still administer the Public Lands Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and Water Act for non-energy resource projects. 

The Regulatory Enhancement Project is part of a government initiative to integrate our resource management system.
As a government, we are looking ahead and considering where people want to live, work and play. We’re building regional plans that address the unique aspects of each region and the vision for the province.
Recently, the Government released its first land use plan, for the Lower Athabasca area. Additional key components to the integrated system include REP and development of a world class environmental monitoring system.

The legislation requires the regulator to provide all Albertans notice about project applications across the province. This is an improvement over the current system that allows the regulator to make decisions without providing notice.

The legislation allows all Albertans who believe they are directly and adversely affected may provide a notice of concern directly to the regulator. This happens before any decisions are made, which is an important aspect to note. The regulator will have the best information possible, before any decisions are made and before hearings are held.

The hearings will be held by independently-appointed hearing commissioners.

The new process allows Albertans to be more involved in the front-end, rather than becoming involved after a decision has made. Standing will be granted to persons who are directly and adversely affected by an application.
Every effort has been made to provide for current participation rights to be maintained or enhanced.

The single regulator will have authority over all decision and review processes, and there are provisions for applying to the Court of Appeal.
Under this new system, the decision-making process will be streamlined. It will create a better opportunity for stakeholders to have input into the process before decisions are made, rather than having to challenge a decision after it’s made.
If you were missed during the notification process and a decision has been made, if you are directly and adversely affected, you can request a regulatory appeal.

The legislation gives the single regulator the authority to require that both parties participate in an alternative dispute resolution process when appropriate to do so.

Landowners may register private surface agreements with the single regulator. Simply put, landowners can then request the regulator to determine if industry is complying with the terms and conditions of the agreement. If the regulator finds that industry is not complying, it may issue an order directing industry to comply.
If landowners prefer, they can choose to keep their agreements private. This provision applies to new agreements only.