Albertan taxpayers could be on the hook for a hefty clean-up bill of $60 billion dollars - or much more - from inactive oil and gas wells, if the government protects industry over taxpayers and the planet. 

In March 2025, a leaked government document revealed that Premier Smith may eliminate the Polluters Pay mandate. This would transfer the responsibility to pay for the clean up of 250,000 inactive oil wells from private companies to the public taxpayer - costing Albertans more than $60 billion! 

If allowed to proceed, Albertans would have to pay for the mess made by an industry that’s raking in billions of dollars in profit. Many of these wells are leaking methane and toxins into farms, ranches, rural communities, sickening wildlife and livestock, all while worsening climate change. 

That’s why we need your help to demand the Smith government uphold the ‘polluter pays’ mandate. As trade wars escalate, Alberta needs to protect its economy. That means ensuring polluting energy companies cover the costs to clean up their own aging wells. Meanwhile, accelerating clean-up efforts could create up to ten thousand skilled jobs, all while advancing the province's transition to a clean economy. 

Tell the Alberta government to make polluters pay for their mess, not taxpayers!

Your message will be sent to your Member of Legislative Assembly; Alberta Premier Danielle Smith; Minister of Energy and Mines, Hon. Brian Jean; Minister of Parks and the Environment, Hon. Rebecca Shultz; Alberta NDP Energy Critic, Hon. Nagwan Al-Geneid; and  Alberta NDP Environment Critic, Hon. Dr. Sarah Elmeligi.