Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/109821
sands deposits are shallow enough to be mined from the surface. Most of the deposits are much deeper and require ���in situ��� extraction methods, meaning they require the drilling of wells to bring bitumen to the surface. Once extracted, bitumen is upgraded into synthetic crude oil at ���upgrader facilities��� or shipped out of province. The searchable data library provides reports, images, links and tables that help users review information in greater depth. They can access recent and historical datasets as well as download them as spreadsheets. ArcGIS for Server pulls such data from the ministry���s Microsoft SQL server. Increasing Transparency and Accountability With a one-window source for the latest information on oil sands environmental performance, all stakeholders can quickly and easily access information they need to make decisions. OSIP provides data that can help the government better inform regulations and policy. Energy companies and oil sands contractors can use the portal to compare their operations and projects with others as well as improve internal processes. The general public can get clarifications on controversies about the environmental impacts of oil sands development by accessing factual, non-biased data from OSIP to form their opinions. The portal increases transparency of the industry���s environmental performance and helps make all stakeholders more accountable for the effects of their activities. In addition, OSIP provides facility-specific environmental information including water use, emissions intensity and pollutant release. It also maps progressive reclamation activities, giving the public a view of what���s being done to mitigate the environmental footprint of oil sands development. Engaging the Public from Awareness to Action With OSIP, all stakeholders now have open and easy access to a shared source of data and information about the oil sands industry to support the development of opinions and decision making. This allows the public to ask informed questions and engage in factdriven debate about the industry���s performance. OSIP helps advance policy analysis within and outside the Government of Alberta. It also will be a key reporting model for Alberta���s new enhanced monitoring system for air, land, water and biodiversity. In addition, it encourages joint public- and private-sector efforts in developing new performance criteria, technologies and ���The OSIP data library contains numerous datasets, including environmental impact assessments, enforcement actions, and production and environmental-monitoring statistics that can be downloaded for offline use. ���Through OSIP, the public can view pie graphs of greenhouse-gas emissions and compare them by industry within the province, across Canada or globally. solutions for better managing oil sands resources and the environment. Ensuring the sustainability of oil sands development isn���t one single organization���s responsibility; government, industry and society need to work together to ensure responsible development of this valuable resource. OSIP better enables the province to take a balanced, scientific approach to such development. Heather Carmichael is a policy manager at ESRD; e-mail: Heather.Carmichael@gov.ab.ca. F E B R U A R Y 2 O 1 3 / W W W . G E O P L A C E . C O M 25