Abstract
In light of the growing oil sands tailings ponds, the Energy Resources Conservation Board has issued Directive074. With Directive 074, oil sands operators are mandated to submit to the ERCB a tailings management plan that outlines when
and how they intend on meeting a set of objectives the Directive has outlined. The
Directive has a specific timeline as to when operators should meet these objectives.
This essay has examined the tailings management plans submitted and has found
that most operators will not meet this timeline. With this the essay will examine
what the effects of this delayed compliance are and what public policy suggestions
could come of it.
Refereed
Yes
