Alberta government proposes legislation for single oil and gas regulator

CALGARY – The Alberta government has introduced legislation that would put a single regulator in charge of overseeing energy development in the province.

Companies now must file applications to the Alberta government as well as to the arms-length Energy Resources Conservation Board.

Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes says having one watchdog will reduce the time and money it takes for companies seeking approvals for oil, natural gas, oilsands and coal projects.

The proposal for a single energy regulator was one of six recommendations handed down in January 2011 by a government committee.

It’s part of the province’s efforts to make the industry more competitive with other regions.

Two years ago, the government introduced incentives for oil and gas drillers and rolled back royalty rates.