Alberta First Nations seek answers on carbon capture and storage plans

Seven Alberta First Nations have banded together to seek answers as industry and government move on billion-dollar plans to inject and store millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases underneath or adjacent to their traditional lands.

Seven Alberta First Nations have banded together to seek answers as industry and government move on billion-dollar plans to inject and store millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases underneath or adjacent to their traditional lands. 

"We don't know how pumping carbon underground will affect our lakes, our rivers — even our underground reservoirs," said councillor Michael Lameman of Beaver Lake Cree Nation, one of the members of the Treaty 6 working group. 

"(Industry's) been vague, not very forthcoming."

The working group includes Heart Lake First Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Whitefish Lake First Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, Cold Lake First Nations and Onion Lake Cree Nation. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is observing the group.

"There's lots to be checked as far as the project relates to both the safety of the environment and the communities," said Darryl Steinhauer, consultation co-ordinator for Whitefish Lake.

"The (carbon capture) project is inclusive of eight Nations where people are not only practising their treaty rights but living there day to day. Safety is a big concern."

Industry says it's doing its best.