EDMONTON — Critics aren’t happy with the Alberta government’s response to monitoring data that shows two air pollutants have exceeded trigger levels in the oilsands area.
The information shows sulphur dioxide and nitrous dioxide — two chemicals that contribute to acid rain and smog — are creeping past levels that were supposed to bring a government management response.
The data is already two years old.
Environment Minister Robin Campbell says the government is working with industry to keep levels down.
But the Pembina Institute, a clean energy think-tank, says that Conservative government promises to keep an eye on the situation aren’t enough.
Industry figures suggest contaminant levels will continue to grow with new development.
Alberta New Democrat Rachel Notley also says the province should be moving on the results now instead of waiting until the chemicals become dangerous.