Alberta Energy has selected leaders of the Alberta Energy Regulator, a new independent agency consolidating activities of the Energy Resources and Conservation Board with the ministerial department Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.
The Responsible Energy Development Act established the agency last year to regulate Alberta’s upstream oil, oil sands, natural gas, and coal development (OGJ Online, Nov. 26, 2012). It will begin phasing in operations in June and eventually cover the full lifecycle of an energy project, from application and construction to production, abandonment, and reclamation.
Gerry Protti has been named board chair, responsible for setting the direction of the regulator’s business and affairs. He has served as chair of several boards and committees, including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
Jim Ellis was named chief executive officer, responsible for day-to-day operations. He has served as deputy minister of the provincial energy and environmental departments and most recently was the lead Alberta official working on a Canadian energy strategy.