Alberta mulls using public money to clean up abandoned wells [Video]

Observers are criticizing Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean’s suggestions on how the province might clean up its thousands of abandoned oil wells, saying they favour industry and lack input from the public.

“Albertans are owed a better explanation than they have received so far about why this is necessary,” said Martin Olszynski, a professor of resource law at the University of Calgary.

Jean’s department is opening consultations on how to deal with Alberta’s nearly half-million oil and gas wells, two-thirds of which are not producing. Estimates of the potential cost vary wildly into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

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In an interview, Jean suggested that although it’s not his preferred solution, some form of public assistance may be needed to clean up the mess despite industry’s legal obligations. He also suggested municipalities may have to …