About OSRIN
What is OSRIN’s Vision
OSRIN is working toward a future in which Albertans can reap the economic benefits of oil sands development without sacrificing the health of the natural ecosystem or human health.
What is OSRIN’s Mission?
OSRIN is a university-based, independent organization that compiles, interprets and analyses available knowledge about returning landscapes and water impacted by oil sands mining to a natural state and gets that knowledge into the hands of those who can use it to drive breakthrough improvements in reclamation regulations and practices. OSRIN is a project of the University of Alberta’s School of Energy and the Environment (SEE).
Why OSRIN?
Albertans, as well as others across the world, are increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of oil sands development. Alberta is investing to develop the technology and practices necessary to improve environmental performance. Alberta Environment has invested in OSRIN to address issues related to impact of oil sands development on water and land. OSRIN’s role is to help Alberta “do the right thing” to ensure healthy, self-sustaining boreal landscapes after mining and processing oil sands.
Who are OSRIN’s Customers?
We provide:
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Governments with the independent, objective, and credible information and analysis required to put appropriate regulatory and policy frameworks in place
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Media, opinion leaders and the general public with the facts about oil sands development, its environmental and social impacts, and landscape/water reclamation activities – so that public dialogue and policy is informed by solid evidence
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Industry with ready access to an integrated view of research that will help them make and execute reclamation plans – a view that crosses disciplines and organizational boundaries
Who pays for OSRIN work?
OSRIN was launched with a start-up grant of $4.5 million from Alberta Environment and a $250,000 grant from the Canada School of Energy and Environment Ltd. We intend to seek partners and additional financial supporters with whom to collaborate in sustaining this work.
Where will OSRIN focus?
OSRIN’s initial focus is on providing information that helps facilitate development of regulations, practice, and technology. We recognize that much research has been done in these areas by a variety of players over 40 years of oil sands development. OSRIN synthesizes this collective knowledge and presents it in a form that allows others to use it to solve pressing problems. Where we identify knowledge gaps, we seek research partners to help fill them.