Sask. puts final phase of federal well cleanup funding to work
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 21, 2021.
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Saskatchewan has awarded the final phase of funding from federal cash to clean up and properly abandon aging oil and gas sites in that province. A final $55-million allotment announced Monday represents the balance of a $400-million cleanup fund for the province announced in mid 2020 to tackle environmental liabilities and bolster the petroleum services sector. Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said that cumulatively about 57 firms have worked on 5,500 sites throughout Saskatchewan as a result. The News reported in late 2020 that the City of Medicine Hat received about $2.5 million relating to its closure of fields in the southwest part of the province. No specifics were released by Saskatchewan, other than updated totals of regional distribution in the Swift Current area ($51 million), Kindersley ($50 million), Lloydminster ($108 million) and Estevan ($107 million). The Alberta “Site Rehabilitation Program” had received 55,000 applications for funding as of Dec. 17, according to Alberta Energy ministry. About half have been approved for about $570 million in grants. About $1 billion is aside for Alberta by Ottawa under the program. The City of Medicine Hat also receives funds from the Alberta program related to an abandonment program in this province. This fall, it was allotted $18 million specifically targeted to Manyberries oil field with includes sensitive sage grouse habitat. 9-8
