Alberta Considers Public Funds for Oil and Gas Cleanup

Energy Minister Brian Jean suggests taxpayer dollars may be needed to address the province's backlog of unreclaimed wells.

Alberta has nearly half a million energy wells, with less than a quarter reclaimed, creating a significant environmental liability.
The cleanup bill for these sites is estimated to range between $59 billion and $260 billion.
Energy companies are legally required to clean up their sites, but may need financial assistance to fulfill these obligations.
The UCP government has proposed programs using taxpayer dollars to aid in the cleanup, facing criticism from various sectors.
Consultations for new legislation, expected by fall 2025, are underway with industry players and other stakeholders, excluding environmental groups.