The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) is an independent, quasi-judicial agency of the Government of Alberta. It regulates the safe, responsible, and efficient development of Alberta's energy resources: oil, natural gas, oil sands, coal, and pipelines. Led by eight Board members, the ERCB's team of engineers, geologists, technicians, economists, and other professionals serve Albertans from thirteen locations across the province.
The ERCB's mission is to ensure that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's energy resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible and in the public interest.
The ERCB adjudicates and regulates matters related to energy within Alberta to ensure that the development, transportation and monitoring of the province's energy resources are in the public interest. The Board provides this assurance of the public interest through its activities in the application and hearing process, regulation, monitoring, and surveillance and enforcement.
The information and knowledge responsibility of the Board includes the collection, storage, analysis, appraisal, dissemination and stakeholder awareness of information. Open access to information develops awareness, understanding and responsible behavior and allows the Board and stakeholders to make informed decisions about energy and utility matters. This responsibility will result in the Board discharging its advisory role with respect to matters under the jurisdiction of the Board.
The Government of Alberta owns about 80 per cent of the province's mineral rights, such as oil, natural gas, coal, and the oil sands. In other words, most resources are owned by the people of Alberta through their government. While private companies can develop these resources, the ERCB is authorized by the government to protect the public's interest relating to the discovery, development, and delivery of these resources. Regulation is needed so that non-renewable resources are produced in a safe, responsible, and efficient manner, without waste.
The ERCB also ensures that everyone affected by development has a chance to be heard. When conflicts regarding development remain unresolved between companies and landowners, the ERCB works to settle the issues in a fair and balanced manner.
In 1996, the Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) joined the ERCB. AGS assists the ERCB by providing data, information, knowledge and advice about the geology of Alberta.
Read more about Energy Resources Conservation Board: History, Scope, Governance, Organization Structure, Energy Applications, ERCB's Major Publications, ERCB Hearings
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