Three top executives exit energy regulator

CALGARY The Alberta Energy Regulator announced Wednesday that three senior executives have left on the heels of damning investigations revealing ethical lapses within the organization.

The AER said executive vice-presidents Stacey Schorr, Mark Taylor and Carol Crowfoot have exited the agency, which oversees the development of the province’s energy industry.

On Wednesday, the AER wouldn’t say why the three had departed, citing privacy legislation.

But provincial Energy Minister Sonya Savage referred to them as “layoffs.”

A series of investigations concluded earlier this month, finding that former CEO Jim Ellis “had grossly mismanaged funds in establishing and supporting the operations of ICORE,” states a report from public interest commissioner Marianne Ryan.

It referred to the creation of the International Centre of Regulatory Excellence and, in 2017, the Ellis-directed ICORE Energy Services.

Another report accused Ellis — who left the regulator last November — of being in a conflict of interest and failing to disclose that conflict.

They said the breaches cost taxpayers $2.3 million.

“The AER board is committed to finding a permanent CEO as quickly as possible and will be working closely with interim CEO Gordon Lambert to ensure the AER continues to uphold its mandate to protect public safety and the environment,” said a statement released by the agency Wednesday.

In September, the UCP government replaced the AER’S board with an interim panel and launched a review, which includes a probe of its governing structure.

“The board will also continue its work with the Government of Alberta in its review of AER,” said the regulator.

“Our interim CEO is working closely with the new interim board to ensure the regulator continues to uphold its mandate to protect public safety and the environment during this time of transition.”

At a news conference, Savage said the AER’S entire mandate along with its governing structure and operational practices were under review.

“We’ve had targeted roundtables with interested parties meeting with industry, landowners, academics, Indigenous groups and environmental organizations to get input,” she said.