About ESRF

Profile

The Environmental Studies Research Funds (ESRF) is a research program which sponsors environmental and social studies. It is designed to assist in the decision-making process related to oil and gas exploration and development on Canada's frontier lands. The ESRF program, initiated in 1983, receives its legislative mandate through the Canada Petroleum Resources Act (CPRA), which was proclaimed in February 1987. As well the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act provide legislative direction.The funding for the ESRF is provided through levies on frontier lands paid by interested holders such as the oil and gas companies. The ESRF is directed by a joint government/industry/public Management Board and is administered by a small secretariat which resides in the National Energy Board office in Calgary, Alberta.

Structure and Operation of the Funds

The purpose of the ESRF is to finance environmental and social studies pertaining to the manner in which and to the terms and conditions under which petroleum exploration, development, and production activities on frontier lands should be conducted.  Frontier lands, defined as those areas where Canada has the right to dispose of or exploit the natural resources, are situated in the offshore areas of Canada's East and West Coasts and the areas north of 60 degrees.  Environment is interpreted in the broadest possible sense and extends from the physical environment and biological environment issues to socio-economic issues.

The ESRF are directed by a 12-member Management Board which has representation from the federal government (4), the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (1), the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (1), the oil and gas industry (4), and the general public (2).  Robert Steedman, Professional Leader of Environment at the National Energy Board (NEB) is the current chairman of the ESRF Management Board.  The ESRF is administered by a small secretariat within the NEB.

The ESRF Management Board takes a hands-on approach to the conduct of the business of the ESRF.  On behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Management Board sets priorities for study topics, determines the program budget, and facilitates the development of study proposals.  The ESRF provides a forum for industry and government to develop a common knowledge base and to jointly design a focused study program which addresses the needs of both groups and avoids a repetition of effort and expense.

The program operates on a calendar-year basis.  The Management Board has traditionally met on a semi-annual basis; however, the frequency of meetings is adjusted as circumstances dictate.  The Management Board assesses the information requirements of government and industry to determine study subject priorities for which a study program for the coming year is developed.  The budget to support the study program and administrative costs form the basis for the calculation of the levy rate schedule.  The budget and levy rates are submitted to the Ministers for approval by 1 November of each year.  The projects under the study program are initiated following the collection of the levies, which generally occurs in the first quarter of the calendar year.