Mixed reaction pours in to new oilsands monitoring plan

The new oilsands monitoring plan announced by the federal and provincial governments Friday is not winning any fans amongst environmentalists.

Greenpeace spokesperson Mike Hudema tells 660News some big questions are left unanswered by the plan.

"Is this plan going to be run by an independent body?" asks Hudema, "As we know, both the federal and Alberta governments have huge credibility issues when it comes to providing adequate and reliable data to the public."

It was announced the plan will be monitored by a government-bureaucrats to start which has Hudema concerned information will be washed through the "federal government spin machine."

NDP MP Megan Leslie is also concerned with that an independent body is not in charge.

"The announcement was a public relations stunt," says Leslie. "The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel said any monitoring that's done has to be arm's-length; it has to be separate from government and we heard the environment minister say today it's still going to be government run."

Travis Davies with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers thinks the plan is well thought-out.

"It bodes well both for industry and for government to have one of the best oilsands monitoring systems in the world," says Davies. "I think the announcement of the government-led initiative is pointed in the right direction and we're certainly supportive of it."

As for how the plan will directly affect companies vested in the oilsands, University of Calgary economist Dr. Frank Atkins says not much will change as there are no measures to penalize companies that over-pollute.

He says the new plan simply monitors pollutants; it doesn't force companies into making changes.