When a new energy or resource development project, or an amendment to an existing site is proposed, there are many perspectives that need to be considered before a company applies to the AER for a licence. While the AER is not involved during the preapplication stage, companies must meet a regulatory requirement to consider all impacts and communicate how they will mitigate problems that a proposed development may have on those around them and over the project’s life cycle.
To gather that feedback, industry interacts with participants in different ways to give them an opportunity to communicate concerns and ask questions about a company’s proposed application. Participant involvement ensures fairness, transparency, and promotes understanding between industry and those who may be most directly or adversely impacted.
Participant involvement activities start before the AER receives an application and continue over the life cycle of the development project. Ideally this supports formation of a working relationship between the company and its neighbours. The approach on how and when participants are engaged is designed by the company and may include phone calls and meetings, emails containing general and application specific information or topic-specific dialogues that may impact multiple groups and communities. When needed, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is also available.
Most often, participant involvement includes communication between companies pursuing a licence and:
- Landowners and residents
- Indigenous communities
- Governments, and
- Other energy and mineral companies
If the company files an application and your concerns remain unresolved, a Statement of Concern (SOC) can be submitted to the AER for consideration. Information exchanges, communication, and discussions that occur during participant involvement activities are between you and the company.
