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VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS) AND FUGITIVE EMISSIONS To reduce VOCs and fugitive emissions, we conduct annual inspections on our operating units to identify leaks and ensure timely repair. In 2014, the Government of Alberta set out standard procedures for quantifying fugitive emissions from mine faces and tailings facilities, and encouraged these procedures to also be used in sampling for other air quality indicators, such as VOCs. This, combined with the recently deployed LeakDAS system, provides a more accurate accounting of leak volumes and emissions measurement. REGIONAL AIR QUALITY Regional air quality is monitored independently by the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA). Headquartered in Fort McMurray, this multi-stakeholder association operates the most integrated and intensive focus on air and terrestrial monitoring in any one area in Canada, with 27 continuous air monitoring stations, each measuring between two and 10 air quality parameters, and five portable stations throughout the region. The association is comprised of 36 members representing Aboriginal communities, government, industry operators and environmental non-government organizations. A senior Syncrude manager is the current president of its governance committee. WBEA informs Syncrude immediately of any ambient air exceedences recorded at their stations in the region. This triggers a site-wide investigation into possible sources that may be contributing to elevated readings. If one is identified, procedures are implemented to minimize air quality impacts, which can include reducing production rates. A follow-up report is typically submitted to the Alberta Energy Regulator within seven days. In 2017, WBEA registered 42 exceedences at its air monitoring stations, of which five indicated Syncrude operations may have been a source, based on meteorological conditions and plant performance. WBEA also coordinates regional terrestrial and forest health monitoring, which has included a berry monitoring project with Elders of the Fort McKay First Nation, as well as an odour monitoring program. Joint oil sands monitoring also occurs by the federal and provincial governments, in cooperation with local Indigenous communities, and is funded by Syncrude and industry. ODOURS Syncrude is actively working with industry partners, the community of Fort McKay, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta Department of Health to address ongoing local stakeholder concerns about regional odours. In 2017, there were 40 odour complaints related to Syncrude’s operation. This number also includes those which, although a source could not be verified, Syncrude could not be ruled out as a possible source due to meteorological conditions at the time.