EDMONTON — The Canadian Press Published on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 6:21PM EST Last updated on Thursday, Apr. 09, 2009 10:27PM EDT
The Alberta government has ordered four oil sands giants to reduce the amount of water they use from the Athabasca River.
Alberta Environment says water flow levels in the river have dropped into the “yellow” warning zone and withdrawals may increase stress on the ecosystem.
The companies affected are Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC's Albian Sands.
All of the projects are located downstream of Fort McMurray in northeastern Alberta.
The province says the low water levels are naturally occurring, but noted it's the first time the government has ordered the companies to reduce the amount of river water they use.
Environmental, conservation and aboriginal groups have been critical of the amount of water that oil sands projects use.
18:05ET 20-01-09
(Via Land-Line Feed)
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