The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Dec. 12, edition that a new report by Alberta Auditor-General Doug Wylie warns that current rules for security payments in oil sands operations could leave Albertans responsible for billions in cleanup costs. The Globe's Emma Graney writes that as of September, the Mine Financial Security Program held $1.8-billion, while a report from the Office of the Auditor-General estimated a reclamation liability of $51.9-billion. Alberta will not follow the AG's "flawed recommendation" to re-evaluate asset values under the MFSP. The MFSP is managed by the Alberta Energy Regulator with input from the Environment Ministry. The AER collects funds from oil sands and coal mine owners as security to ensure companies can cover cleanup costs, preventing costs from falling on taxpayers. Mr. Wylie's latest report says the program's "asset valuation may overstate their worth, leaving Albertans at risk of bearing the financial costs of oil sands mine reclamation or the mines being unreclaimed. ... The risk of overstatement remains high." Critics argue the MFSP is flawed because it does not require full security from operators until six years before mine closure, risking asset devaluation.