CALGARY, AB, August 19, 2024 – Laurie Pushor, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) president and CEO has informed the AER Board that he will not renew his contract when it expires in April 2025. He will remain actively in office until that time.
Laurie joined the AER in April 2020.
“Having just celebrated my 67th birthday I can confirm it was always my intention to fulfill my five-year commitment to the AER,” said Laurie. “We’ve made substantial progress in key areas, positioning ourselves well for a successful CEO transition. We’ve stabilized the organization, streamlined processes to reduce timelines, and improved approval service standards. Additionally, we’ve initiated nearly 60 regulatory improvement projects and taken on new responsibilities for minerals, brine mineral production, helium, and carbon capture and storage. Our efforts have also led to notable industry performance improvements, such as reducing methane emissions and decreasing the number of inactive wells. Further, we’ve advanced transparency through significant outreach.”
Current Board Chair David Goldie, who will step down effective September 1, 2024, has served alongside Laurie for the past four years.
“We are all grateful to Laurie for his leadership and guidance,” said David. “He joined at a challenging time for the AER and his focus, regulatory acumen, and belief in the power of relationships righted the ship and has served the people of Alberta well.”
It is the AER Board’s responsibility to hire Laurie’s successor. The Board has struck a CEO Search Committee that will include incoming Board Chair Duncan Au, Gary Leach, Erin Kurchina, and David Yager.
“The AER mandate is critical to our province,” said Duncan. “We are committed to working diligently in identifying the right candidate to steward the AER through the second half of the decade and beyond. We’ll start the recruitment process immediately and are grateful to have Laurie’s leadership and support for the next eight months to allow for an effective transition.”
“I am thankful to the Board and all AER employees for their part in these significant achievements and I am confident there will be a smooth transition when a new CEO is announced,” added Laurie.
The Board will have no further comment on the recruitment process until such time as a successor is announced.
