Notice of Application
Applications:
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act – 024-00151469; and
Water Act – 028-00151636, 015-00190012
Fort Hills Energy Corporation (FHEC)
Fort Hills Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine (FHOSP)
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has received Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) renewal applications 024-00151469; and Water Act (WA) renewal applications 028-00151636 and 015-00190012 from Suncor Energy Operating Inc. (SEOI), on behalf of Fort Hills Energy Corporation (FHEC), for the Fort Hills Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine (FHOSP).
The AER is reviewing these applications together.
This notice also sets out the deadline for filing a statement of concern under the section How to File a Statement of Concern.
Description of the Applications
FHEC has applied for a renewed EPEA approval under the EPEA (renewal of 00151469-01-00), for a renewed WA approval (renewal of 00151636-01-00) and for a renewed WA license (renewal of 00190012-01-00) under the WA. FHEC is seeking a ten-year renewal term for the EPEA approval and the WA approval and licence.
The scope of the applications include:
- For EPEA, there are no new activities proposed for FHOSP as part of the renewal.
- For the WA approval and WA licence, there are no new activities proposed as part of the renewal.
- The 2022 Life of Mine Closure Plan (LMCP) has been submitted, and a 2024 Reclamation and Closure Plan (RCP) have been appended to the application.
- An LMCP is required by Specified Enactment Direction (SED) 003, Direction for Conservation and Reclamation Submissions Under an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act Approval for Mineable Oil Sands Sites; and
- FHEC has indicated that the 2022 LMCP and 2024 RCP meet the requirements for this EPEA Approval Renewal Application.
The FHEC FHOSP is a currently operating oil sands mine that includes mining operations, and processing facilities.
These applications refer to the construction, operational and reclamation activities and projects that are ongoing, and previously approved. There are no new activities, equipment, emissions, locations or impacts to be included in these updated applications. In addition, there are no updates to water diversion rates, water diversion points, general water use; the application includes a request to modify the WA fenceline in order to include previously authorized water management locations.
The FHOSP is located about 90 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta and 17 km north of the community of Fort McKay.
The Project is contained within Townships 096, 097 and 098 and Ranges 09, 10 and 11, West of the 4th Meridian.
For a copy of the applications, contact
Suncor Energy Operating Inc.
150- 6th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 3E3
Attention: Cher Jacobs, Manager Fort Hills Approvals and Projects
Telephone: 368-995-7931
E-mail: chejacobs@suncor.com
To receive a copy of the application and supporting documents, submit an information request, as outlined at www1.aer.ca/ProductCatalogue/ordering.html, to
AER Information Distribution Services
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Telephone: 1-855-297-8311 (toll free; option 0)
Fax: 403-297-7040
Email: InformationRequest@aer.ca
Refer to this notice when requesting information for a faster response.
Requirement to File a Statement of Concern
If you have concerns with these applications, you must file a statement of concern as described below. If you do not file a statement of concern, the AER may approve the applications without further notification.
How to File a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must be filed by 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2025. Send one copy of your statement of concern to Suncor Energy Operating Inc. at the name and address above and one copy either online via the AER’s web-based form or by mail or email:
Mail or email:
Regulatory Applications
Alberta Energy Regulator
Suite 1000, 250 – 5 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0R4
Fax: 403-297-7336
Email: SOC@aer.ca
Contents of a Statement of Concern
For your submission to be considered a valid statement of concern, it must include
a) why you believe that you may be directly and adversely affected by a decision of the AER on the applications;
b) the nature of your objection to the applications;
c) the outcome of the applications that you advocate;
d) the location of your land, residence, or activity in relation to the location of the energy resource activity that is the subject of the applications; and
e) your contact information, including your name, address in Alberta, telephone number, and email address or, if you do not have an email address, your fax number.
The AER also requests that you include the application number in your statement of concern.
Confidentiality
Section 49 of the Alberta Energy Regulator Rules of Practice (Rules of Practice) requires that all documents and information filed in a proceeding be placed on the public record. If you file a submission, you must not include any personal information that you do not want to appear on or are not authorized to put on the public record. Section 49(2) of the Rules of Practice states how to apply to the AER for an order to keep information confidential. The Rules of Practice is available on the AER website at www.aer.ca.
Jurisdiction
Submissions relating exclusively to compensation for land use are not dealt with by the AER and should be referred to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (formerly the Surface Rights Board).
Under section 21 of the Responsible Energy Development Act, the AER does not have the jurisdiction to assess the adequacy of Crown consultation associated with the rights of aboriginal peoples as recognized and affirmed under the Constitution Act, 1982.
For information on AER procedures, contact the regulatory applications specialist, Beverly David, by phone at 587-943-3197 or by email to beverly.david@aer.ca.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on January 29, 2025.
ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR
