Open AccessThe Growth of Public Participation in Decisions of the Energy Resources Conservation Board
Author(s) -
P. A. Rowbotham
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
alberta law review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1925-8356
pISSN - 0002-4821
DOI - 10.29173/alr1169
Subject(s) - legislature , public participation , public involvement , natural resource , face (sociological concept) , scheme (mathematics) , political science , energy conservation , energy (signal processing) , public administration , environmental planning , environmental resource management , business , public relations , sociology , economics , geography , law , engineering , social science , mathematical analysis , mathematics , statistics , electrical engineering
This paper addresses the issue of public participation in one of Alberta's most important administrative tribunals, the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB). The ERCB makes significant decisions regarding the exploration for, and development of, natural resources in Alberta. In the past twenty-five years the public has taken an increasing interest in the types of issues which face the ERCB. The following essay discusses the legislative scheme which permits and encourages public participation in these decisions. It also addresses the increase in public participation, and focuses on two specific events: the Crown of the Continent Project in the Waterton Lakes area of Alberta and the Caroline/Beaverhill Lake Gas Development Applications.