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suring that we have the capacity to regulate in
a different way. So rather than a well-by-well
basis, we’re looking at more of a project ba-
sis,” said Barter.
He noted that AER is currently setting in place
a number of initiatives to make the industry
more accountable and to streamline the regu-
latory process. Like many other provinces, an
independently operated geological survey is
undertaken in accordance with the energy reg-
ulator to test for significant seismic activity as
a result of hydraulic fracking that occurs deep
below the Earth’s surface. Various monitoring
stations are set up throughout Alberta for this
purpose. Seismic activity can and does occur
on a fairly continual basis in the world, but is
often not humanly perceptible at the ground
surface. The Canadian Geological Survey team
of scientists also conducts regular testing.
“We’re lucky because our geological survey,
as part of AER and the work that we’ve done
so far, has been very clear in saying that “hy-
draulic fracturing in Alberta has not caused
seismic issues,” said Barter.
