EDMONTON/630 CHED
11/3/2009
Alberta's energy regulator has suspended issuing licences for all new sour gas projects after a court ruled families have the legal right to object to some proposed wells near Drayton Valley.
The case involves three families who want legal standing as the Energy Resources Conservation Board considers a proposal from a Calgary firm to drill sour gas wells near their homes.
The Alberta Court of Appeal ruled that the board should have allowed the families to participate in hearings on the wells proposed by Grizzly Resources Ltd.
The board said pending a review of the ruling it will not issue any new licences for wells, facilities or pipelines and that 69 such applications that are in the system are hold.
Lillian Dupperon, one of the people who challenged the board, praised the court for ruling in the favour of people who live as close as three kilometres from the proposed wells.
Sour gas contains hydrogen sulphide, which can be fatal, even in small doses. (cp,blb)
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