Decision 2007-058 North West Upgrading Inc. Application to Construct and Operate an Oil Sands Upgrader in Sturgeon County August 7, 2007 ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD Decision 2007-058: North West Upgrading Inc, Application to Construct and Operate an Oil Sands Upgrader in Sturgeon County August 7, 2007 Published by Alberta Energy and Utilities Board 640 – 5 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G4 Telephone: (403) 297-8311 Fax: (403) 297-7040 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.eub.ca Application to Construct and Operate an Oil Sands Upgrader in Sturgeon County North West Upgrading Inc. CONTENTS 1 Decision .................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Application ....................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Background....................................................................................................................... 1 2.3 Interventions..................................................................................................................... 2 2.4 Hearing ............................................................................................................................. 3 3 Standing and Adjournment Requests........................................................................................ 3 4 Issues......................................................................................................................................... 4 5 Public Consultation................................................................................................................... 5 5.1 Views of North West........................................................................................................ 5 5.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................................. 6 5.3 Views of the Smiths.......................................................................................................... 6 5.4 Views of the AFN............................................................................................................. 7 5.5 Views of Edmonton.......................................................................................................... 7 5.6 Views of the Board........................................................................................................... 7 6 Socioeconomic Effects.............................................................................................................. 9 6.1 Project Benefits ................................................................................................................ 9 6.1.1 Views of North West............................................................................................ 9 6.1.2 Views of Edmonton.............................................................................................. 9 6.1.3 Views of the Board............................................................................................... 9 6.2 Regional Planning ............................................................................................................ 9 6.2.1 Views of North West............................................................................................ 9 6.2.2 Views of Mr. Smulski......................................................................................... 10 6.2.3 Views of Edmonton............................................................................................ 10 6.2.4 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 11 6.3 Voluntary Property Purchase Program........................................................................... 12 6.3.1 Views of North West.......................................................................................... 12 6.3.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................... 13 6.3.3 Views of the Smiths............................................................................................ 13 6.3.4 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 13 6.4 Transportation................................................................................................................. 14 6.4.1 Views of North West.......................................................................................... 14 6.4.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................... 14 6.4.3 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 15 7 Site Selection .......................................................................................................................... 15 7.1 Views of North West...................................................................................................... 15 7.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD............................................................................................... 15 7.3 Views of the Board......................................................................................................... 16 8 Setbacks .................................................................................................................................. 16 8.1 Views of North West...................................................................................................... 16 8.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD............................................................................................... 16 8.3 Views of Mr. Smulski..................................................................................................... 16 8.4 Views of the Board......................................................................................................... 17 EUB Decision 2007-058 (August 7, 2007) • i Application to Construct and Operate an Oil Sands Upgrader in Sturgeon County North West Upgrading Inc. 9 Emergency Response Planning............................................................................................... 17 9.1 Views of North West...................................................................................................... 17 9.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD............................................................................................... 18 9.3 Views of the Smiths........................................................................................................ 18 9.4 Views of Mr. Smulski..................................................................................................... 19 9.5 Views of the Board......................................................................................................... 19 10 Air Quality .............................................................................................................................. 19 10.1 Dispersion Modelling ..................................................................................................... 19 10.1.1 Views of North West.......................................................................................... 19 10.1.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................... 20 10.1.3 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 20 10.2 Air Emissions and Ozone Formation ............................................................................. 21 10.2.1 Views of North West.......................................................................................... 21 10.2.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................... 22 10.2.3 Views of the Smiths............................................................................................ 22 10.2.4 Views of Mr. Smulski......................................................................................... 22 10.2.5 Views of EC ....................................................................................................... 22 10.2.6 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 23 10.3 Air Monitoring................................................................................................................ 24 10.3.1 Views of North West.......................................................................................... 24 10.3.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................... 24 10.3.3 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 25 10.4 Flaring............................................................................................................................. 26 10.4.1 Views of North West.......................................................................................... 26 10.4.2 Views of NESCIL/CFRD................................................................................... 26 10.4.3 Views of the Board............................................................................................. 26 11 Health.....................................................................................................................................