ALR Update

As all you first-years are furiously writing memos and no doubt biting your nails in anticipation for the upcoming factums, you are probably also wondering when this wealth of research and writing knowledge will come in handy. For those of us who suffered through LRW in previous years, we may still be wondering as to its ultimate usefulness. One day, we will all reach a point in our legal careers where these hard-earned skills will be lucrative. When that day comes, it is even more useful to know where to start with your research. When we inevitably reach that career milestone marking the end of student life, we will have to pay for each click of a mouse on QuickLaw or WestLaw. A great (and more affordable) answer to some of our legal problems can be found in legal journals which are also a fantastic tool to keep up on relevant legal developments.

Alberta Law Review publishes four issues in each volume and one of those issues is the Energy Law Edition. This special issue will come in handy for those of you practising in oil and gas, but the issue also focuses on other topics of interest in the energy law sector. The upcoming issue contains eight articles that were presented at the Canadian Energy Law Foundation’s 50th Annual Research Seminar, held on June 15th-18th 2011. The seminar takes place each year and brings together energy lawyers from all sectors to discuss pertinent topics in the field of energy law. Papers submitted and discussed at the annual conference are considered for publication in the Alberta Law Review. Submissions can cover topics relating to renewable energy, alternative energy, power and are not limited to a strict consideration of oil and gas issues.

Most of the articles have been written by practitioners and they discuss relevant and emerging issues in energy law. Chrysten Perry and Craig Saloff have contributed an article discussing oil sands mining reclamation in Alberta. This issue is an important one that has attracted significant media attention both in Canada and internationally. The article looks at the prior reclamation regime and some of the problems that have led to change in this area of law. The authors also discuss the new Mine Financial Security Program (Alberta) and how problems that existed under the old reclamation regime have been addressed.

In an article authored by Michael Massicotte, Alan Ross, and Chidinma Thompson, recent changes to Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS) legislation and regulation are discussed. Recent judicial developments in energy law are also explored in the upcoming Energy Law Edition. Alberta Law Review anticipates publishing this exciting Energy Law Edition in December 2011. Alberta Law Review subscriptions are only $55 or you can purchase individual issues for just $20. The University of Alberta Law library also has copies of the journal available for students and professors interested in exploring energy law issues.

As always, you can e-mail the editors at info@albertalawreview.com if you have any questions about the publication or any of our projects or events.