Clean energy champions advocate oil sands productivity and environmental responsibility
Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council chairman Jim Carter, EnCana executive VP of corporate relations Gerard Protti and Enbridge Inc. CEO Pat Daniel discuss their visions for the Alberta’s energy future
Jim Carter is chairman of the Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council and a former Syncrude president. His efforts were critical in making significant advances in oil sands productivity and environmental performance. Read More
“My greatest claim to fame is helping to provide prosperity for the people of the province in an environmentally responsible way. I spent the largest part of my career tackling one of the biggest challenges in the land – developing Canada’s resources, including the oil sands, with an eye to minimizing the impact on the environment. That mindset guides me as I chair the Alberta carbon capture council, which is looking at ways to capture and store CO2 from large point sources in geological formations in Alberta.”
Q: What is the single most pressing environmental issue in the energy business right now?
A: The single most pressing issue in the energy business today with respect to the environment is making sure that all stake holders have all the facts. Everyone needs to understand and appreciate what is being done to reduce the environmental footprint of the industry, what the technology limitations are and how resources are being dedicated to improving environmental performance. Work to reduce the environmental footprint includes land reclamation techniques, reduced water use, reduced air emissions and reduced co2 emissions.
Q: What are some of the most significant advances you have participated in to address this issue?
A: I was involved in land reclamation at Syncrude, including the re-establishment of a bison herd which now grazes on reclaimed land. I also take great pride in helping to create satisfying landscapes that occupy areas that were formerly mined out. One little known aspect of our work was the planting of 5 million trees.
I was also involved in developing and implementing new technology that reduced the amount of energy consumed per barrel of oil produced, thereby lowering both the cost and the carbon footprint.
We also implemented technologies that reduced sulphur dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and techniques that reduced the amount of water consumed per barrel of oil produced, which was done by increasing the recycling of water.
I was also involved in helping to make final products that were more environmentally friendly. For example, we made more attractive feed stocks for our refinery customers so they could meet emerging environmental requirements.
Q: What is your vision of the future of energy and your contribution to it?
A: My vision of the energy future is that Alberta will reach its full potential with respect to developing its vast energy resources (oil sands, natural gas, coal, conventional oil, etc.) in an environmentally responsible way. I will do what I can to support this effort and to create value and opportunity for all Albertans.
Q: What is your latest accomplishment in making Alberta energy cleaner?
A: I would have to say chairing the Alberta Carbon Capture Council over the last year and arriving at a report that charts the way forward for this technology. In the process, we helped further cement Alberta’s leadership on this technology.
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