“ALBERTA SOUR GAS INDUSTRY PUBLIC SAFETY REVIEWADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOUR GAS”

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Updated July 14, 2000

PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

Through public consultation and analysis, the multi-stakeholder Committee will evaluate existing sour gas policies, standards and regulations, report its findings, and give recommendations to the EUB for implementation by it and others.

VISION OF THE COMMITTEE

The regulatory framework for sour gas development ensures a high level of Public Health and Safety*, worthy of continuous public confidence.

*Public Health and Safety as used in these terms of reference includes immediate or long-term effects of short-term exposure to sour gas on human health. It does not include possible long term or chronic effects of very low concentrations of sour gas on human health. The latter is being dealt with through other initiatives.

DESIRED OUTCOMES OF THE COMMITTEE

• Issues relating to sour gas development are prioritized and suggested actions developed.
• Committee members, the public and the EUB are more informed, knowledgeable and confident about sour gas Public Health and Safety issues.
• Revised requirements to allow for better resolution of current and future sour gas related issues.
• An understanding of how the recommended changes to requirements will affect the rights of all stakeholders.
• Clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the EUB and other authorities such as municipalities and regional health authorities.
• Recommendations that may effect changes or modifications to current technical and non-technical requirements, such as: revisions to emergency planning zone determination methodology; revisions to setback requirements; adoption of standards for hazard and risk assessment; revisions to emergency response preparedness requirements; revisions to public involvement expectations and research needs.

OPERATING PRINCIPLES

• Public Health and Safety are primary considerations in the decision making and reporting of the Committee.
• There is a range of legitimate rights amongst the various stakeholders.
• Public concerns respecting the safety of sour gas development will be addressed.
• Public participates openly in the decision-making process.
• Committee work is open, transparent and relevant.
• The Committee will endeavour to support its recommendations with scientifically based research.
• We trust and respect each other’s opinions.
• We are accountable for our actions.
• Our information will be complete and factual.
• Technical information will be presented in an understandable manner.
• The focus of our recommendations is on prevention and continuous improvement.

SCOPE OF COMMITTEE WORK

• The scope of work will centre on a review and assessment of Public Health and Safety related requirements currently being applied to the approval, development and operation of facilities respecting Alberta’s sour natural gas resources.
• Although the Committee has been requested not to formally address and make recommendations on chronic human and animal health related to the long term exposure to low levels of sour gas, sulphur recovery guidelines, flaring requirements or compensation matters related to a sour gas release, it is understood that these issues will undoubtedly be discussed in the context of their relevance to the mandate of the Committee.

GOALS AND STRATEGIES

1. To understand the processes utilized and review the findings of the 1994 Advisory Committee to the ERCB on Public Safety and Sour Gas committee.

   Strategies: Understand the processes used by the 1994 committee to complete its work. Learn from that committees’ experiences what worked and what didn’t and use that information in designing suitable processes for this committee. Identify which recommendations were accepted by the Board and the actions taken as a result, and which recommendations were not accepted and why.

2. To review and evaluate current regulatory and non-regulatory requirements and practices for new and existing sour gas facilities. Inventory and learn about other relevant initiatives currently underway or proposed for topics such as alternative dispute resolution, EUB Guide 56 (facility applications guide) review, flaring, animal and human health.

   Strategies: Assess all policy and requirements, having regard for the work carried out by the 1994 committee and identify changes since 1994 (technology, research, public concern, etc). Consider critical areas such as sheltering versus evacuation, and long-term health effects of short-term exposure to sour gas.

3. To identify educational needs of the Advisory Committee and arrange for EUB staff, Committee members or outside experts as deemed appropriate by the Committee to provide information.

   Strategies: Review needs of the Committee, ask experts to do educational presentations/tours, provide a relevant reading list of papers, and provide current applicable research results.

4. To develop effective processes for receiving meaningful input from constituencies and the public regarding current EUB policies and procedures.

   Strategies: Provide a variety of means for input so that stakeholder participation is not restricted. Identify key areas of the Province where sour gas development has been a concern and any community advisory committees that could be invited to provide input. Review and evaluate the information received and incorporate into the Committee’s findings.

5. To develop a communication strategy to inform interested parties of the progress of the Committee.

   Strategies: Development of a website as well as other communication tools.

6. To identify and prioritize issues based on information and views gathered and develop a report and set of recommendations for the EUB to consider.

   Strategies: Develop an understanding of the impact of sour gas development on the public – present and future. Review and evaluate information received.

DELIVERABLES

The Advisory Committee will develop a comprehensive report for submission to the EUB by 31 October 2000. The report will include a description of the process the committee followed, the committee’s findings and recommendations. It will also include a proposal for implementing the recommendations and incorporating a continuous improvement process.

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

• In consultation with the EUB, the Advisory Committee will retain the services of independent consultants or experts to assist with any tasks the committee identifies as necessary. Funding will be provided by the EUB.

• The Advisory Committee may modify its Terms of Reference to meet unexpected needs without extending the schedule.

• The Advisory Committee should rely heavily on the experiences and expertise of its members and the constituencies they represent. The Committee should also seek broad input from the public to validate and supplement the Committee’s views and findings.

• Members are expected to brief their constituencies and obtain both formal and informal feedback on issues and findings of the Advisory Committee.

• When contacted, Advisory Committee members may provide comments to the media expressing their individual views while avoiding stating opinions of other members. To ensure clarity and consistency, media interviews and formal releases of information should be via the Chairman and the Secretariat.

• EUB staff will act as Secretariat to the Advisory Committee and will ensure that any requirements of the Committee are met.

• Meetings will be chaired by an independent Chairman. The Chairman will actively participate in the work of the committee. In the event that the Chairman is not available to chair a meeting, the Committee may select one of its members to chair that meeting.

• Minutes will be kept in the order of the actual agenda of each meeting. The minutes will provide a summary of every matter discussed at each scheduled meeting. Draft minutes will be provided to members for review and comment one week prior to finalizing.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

Membership

Each Advisory Committee member has one seat at the table, however advisors may accompany the member as appropriate. If a member is unable to attend, an alternate may be designated to attend on that members behalf. The Committee may decide to expand some meetings to include a broader representation of stakeholders, however this will be agreed to by members in advance.

Decisions

The Advisory Committee will make decisions on a consensus basis (no votes) and all dissenting views will be recorded in the minutes and reports as appropriate in the circumstances. There will be no prior restrictions on the issues that might be discussed by the Committee as long as the matters are relevant to the mandate given by the Board to the Committee.

Expenses

The EUB will pay reasonable out of pocket expenses for public members to cover travel and subsistence for committee meetings and public outreach programs. The Board would expect that expenses of other members would be met by their respective organizations, however this may be discussed with the Secretariat on an individual basis as necessary.

Meeting Times and Location

Meeting dates will be scheduled at times suitable to the committee members and well in advance whenever possible. Meetings will generally be held during the day at the offices of the EUB, at a frequency agreeable to the members. Other meeting locations would be at the discretion of the Chair in consultation with the Committee.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Date last updated: July 14, 2000