As a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), I have been extremely concerned about the direction of the province with respect to the energy transition:

• The knee capping of the $33 billion renewable investment while disproportionate burdening it with financial deposits.

• Actively denying the climate science which tells us that the burning of fossil fuels is the primary driver of ecosystem instability.

• A lack of genuine diversification or climate mitigation, instead more fossil fuel variants: LNG, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage.

• The appointment of an unelected advisor to the Premier carrying out industry-exclusive engagement processes which seeks to undermine Polluter Pay laws.

APEGA members have a mandate to ensure the safety of the public and the environment, “Professional engineers and geoscientists shall, in their areas of practice, hold paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public and have regard for the environment.” I want to see this reflected in my work and the work of fellow professionals. If you feel, like me, that this isn't happening, I want to talk to you!

Similar to the Coalition For Responsible Energy (C4RE)’s collaboration efforts to identify gaps and coordinate actions with the Alberta Energy Regulator, I am seeking the participation of APEGA members to review the goals and objectives of the organization, considering the energy transition:

• Why review APEGA's mandate? APEGA has delegated authority which largely impacts public safety.

• Who should participate? Practicing Engineers and Geoscientists in energy and the environment from Alberta interested in safeguarding our professions.

• Where will the work happen? Bi-weekly online meetings and email updates.

• When will the work begin? Commencing in the fall of 2025, we’ll carry out a gap analysis between what APEGA says it does and what we do by the end of the year.

• What are the issues? Seeing input and initiatives from members that we may support your concerns for the environment, safety, jobs and economic activities.

• How will changes occur? Through our collaboration via recommendation submissions.

Should YOU wish to join a collaboration of APEGA members interested in shaping the direction of the association while protecting its membership, please message me for more details.

Want to know more about the issues?

The International Court of Justice ruled on July 23, 2025 that countries have a legal obligation under international law to take Climate Action, read Andrew Griffith’s tremendous summary of the ruling on LinkedIn. For professionals, this will increase pressure on us and the organizations we work for to adopt sustainable or regenerative practices and reporting processes towards climate conscious strategies. This ruling is why I brought forward two motions at the 2024 and 2025 APEGA annual general meetings:

• In 2024, my motion for the APEGA Practice Review Board determine how climate disclosures impact our practice was adopted. The PRB ultimately ruled disclosures were not required and therefore the motion was moot. I will ask them to review this decision based on the ICJ ruling.

• In 2025, I moved that the Council of APEGA clarifies APEGA’s responsibility in defining, monitoring, and regulating instances of greenwashing by its members. The motion was defeated as the intention was not properly articulated, it was to understand the implications of the impending ICJ ruling and how APEGA will PROTECT its members.

Zac Trolley’s July 19, 2025 op-ed in the Calgary Herald explains that “our profession’s ethical duty must also apply to strategic decisions” when considering projects such as coal mining in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes.

Here is a discussion Zac Trolley, Scott Janzen, and I had with in December of 2024 on “The Engineer’s [and Geoscientist’s] Dilemma”. We discussed our concerns around the increasing risk, potential exposure, and responsibilities of APEGA members to greater scrutiny of our work in the face of climate change.

Let me know of other examples and share this initiative with your APEGA friends and coworkers who wish to safeguard and strengthen our association today and tomorrow.

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The Alberta government has lifted the coal moratorium, and that means trouble for the Eastern Slopes and our water supply.

Toxic mine waste and selenium can poison our rivers, threatening drinking water, fish, and agriculture. Coal dust and pollution are tied to cancer, respiratory disease, and long-term harm. Tourism and farming depend on clean water and unspoiled landscapes.

The Eastern Slopes are Alberta’s lifeline — once defaced and polluted, they’re lost forever.

Our six Ws for this campaign are:

• Why are we running this campaign? To make the Alberta government reinstate the coal moratorium in the Eastern Slopes.

• Who are the players? Land Lovers Network, Calgary Climate Hub, the Save Our Slopes Coalition, and The Gravity Well.

• Where are we going with this work? We’re getting Albertans to show their support for a reinstatement of the coal mining moratorium. We’re also collaborating with other organizations and community leaders to create a better system for water and land stewardship in Southern Alberta.

• When are we making decisions? Right now — the Alberta government is accepting applications for mining permits through the Alberta Energy Regulator. Now is the best time to stop them.

• What other campaigns are happening? The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association, Yellowstone to Yukon and the Alberta Wilderness Association are also campaigning to reinstate the moratorium.

• How are we working with others? We’re collaborating with over 21 organizations and individuals in the Chinook Watershed Alliance to uphold policies to protect water now and for generations.

Register today!

The Gravity Well and collaborators want your help in the fight against misinformation and greenwashing.

When corporations, organizations, politicians, and media figures spread false information and fake solutions, let’s hold them to account. When you spot misinformation, tell us about it, and we’ll file a complaint.

Our six Ws for this campaign are:

• Why are we running this campaign? To hold corporations, politicians, and media figures to account when they spread false information and fake solutions.

• Who are the players? Companies, organizations, and individuals who promote information that is contrary to recorded evidence, Indigenous traditional knowledge, and modern science.

• Where are we going with this work? We want you to help us identify companies, organizations, and individuals who engage in disinformation, misinformation, and greenwashing.

• When are we making decisions? Right now — Bill C-69 received royal assent in June 2024, and we want to report misinformation and greenwashing.

• What other work is being done? Ad Standards Canada and the Competition Bureau have complaint procedures, and we’ll explore these avenues too.

• How are we working together? If you have an idea, a greenwashing complaint, or recommendations, The Gravity Well wants to hear from you. Click the button below to share your story. We’ll safeguard your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Submit your complaint here.

Want to help Jenny shape The Gravity Well podcast?

Then share your ideas with The Gravity Well. Tell us about yourself and a topic or idea you’d like to explore on the podcast. You can join the show as a guest or co-host, or recommend an idea for us to explore — your choice.

Click the button below to share your input.

Our six Ws for this campaign are:

• Why are we running this campaign? To hear your views on how we should manage Alberta’s air, land, and water.

• Who are the players? You and The Gravity Well.

• Where are we going with this work? We’re going on a journey together to discover the best future for our home.

• When are we making decisions? Today and every day.

• What are we doing? You’re talking. We’re listening.

• How are we making decisions? Through your participation in The Gravity Well.

Apply here!

Welcome to Coalition For Responsible Energy, C4RE is a coalition of landowners, scientists, surface rights advocates, and Indigenous, environmental, human health and civil society organizations. The coalition formed around a shared concern about the AER’s failure to function as a credible regulator of energy development in Alberta, and its inability to meet its own stated mandate to “provide safe, orderly, and environmentally responsible energy development.” C4RE demands sweeping changes to the way the fossil fuel energy industry is regulated in Alberta to begin prioritizing the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Communities, Alberta’s ecosystems, and the public.

Why C4RE? The Alberta Energy Regulator is not upholding the laws of the land and Albertans need to expect them to!

Where? Across the province, the fossil fuel industry is neglecting more than one thousand sites that are not producing, merely causing environmental harm. Do you have a non-producing site on your land that you wish to have cleaned up? Join us to make it happen. Are you concerned about the Mature Asset Strategy? Flag Dave Yager’s potential conflicts of interest for Alberta’s ethics watchdog.

When?

C4RE kicked off our first campaign on May 27th by filing a regulatory reconsideration of the 2025 orphan levy set at $144.5 million. We estimate the 2025 orphan levy needs to be $1.2 billion. A response from the AER is outstanding as of July 24, 2025.

The second action by C4RE members was taken on July 22, 2025. From the press release: “Ecojustice lawyers filed an investigation request with the Ethics Commissioner on behalf of Dwight Popowich, a landowner in Two Hills, Alberta. The submission requests an investigation of David Yager, Special Advisor to the Premier and Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) Board Member, for breaches of the Conflicts of Interest Act, and the Alberta Government’s Procurement of Sole-Sourcing Policy regarding his role as Chair in the creation of the province’s controversial Mature Asset Strategy.”

What are the issues?

The orphan levy is to be calculated based on the number of orphans in or soon to be in the orphan program. The orphan program is our polluter pay, created by industry back in 1993 when the first signs of delinquency began to mount. The industry promised to pay for any delinquencies for Alberta, now they need to show us the money. Have a listen to Mark Dorin explain the importance of this issue:

The Mature Asset Strategy “was developed through months of closed-door discussions with oil and gas companies, led by Yager — an advisor to both the oil and gas sector and the Premier. Yager was paid $292,000 to lead this process through two sole source contracts — two in a series of no-bid contracts that have been given to him since 2023.” Have a listen to Dwight Popowich of the explain:

What are the changes needed?

Regarding the Orphan fund: In order to ensure Albertans are not stuck with oil and gas liability costs, the AER needs to uphold the law and demand appropriate funding of delinquent sites. Should the AER refuse, we are prepared to file a regulatory appeal. Check out our press conference live play-by-play and the news coverage on The Gravity Well Bluesky page.

Regarding the Mature Asset Strategy, here’s what the press had to say:

• National Observer | Alberta landowner files conflict-of-interest complaint against Danielle Smith appointee

• The Globe and Mail | Alberta landowner asks for probe into Premier’s top energy aide over potential conflict-of-interest breaches

• Toronto Star | Environmental group seeks ethics investigation into Alberta Premier Smith adviser

• The Orchard | Danielle Smith advisor who advocated publicly funded well cleanup faces ethics complaint

• Global News | Environmental group seeks ethics investigation into adviser for Alberta Premier

Take action TODAY!

Join C4RE today and flag Dave Yager’s potential conflicts of interest for Alberta’s ethics watchdog with Ecojustice.

Beginning in September of 2025, across the Calgary Bow and Calgary NorthWest (and maybe other) constituencies, help us collect recall petition signatures.

Volunteers within the constituencies will be paired with volunteers outside the constituencies to collect signatures at the doors or at designated locations.

Our goal is to acquire signatures of support from at least 60% of the number of voters in the 2023 Provincial Election.

Our six Ws for this work are:

• Why recall? The United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta is not working in the best interest of Albertans and we want to stop this as soon as possible.

• Who are the players? You and the Recall For Change | AB Resistance volunteers and supporters.

• Where are we going with this work? Aiming to recall at least 6 UCP Members of the Legislative Assembly, triggering byelections, and an opportunity for other parties to form government.

• When should you sign up? Now and please share with your network.

• What is the ask? To collect signatures on a formal petition.

• How to stay in touch? Sign up on this page to receive Recall For Change | AB Resistance emails, attend meetings, and follow/post social media.

Cost: free.

Subscribe now