2nd Alberta Energy Regulator executive found billing for travel from B.C. residence

A second executive with the Alberta Energy Regulator is billing the organization for travel expenses because the person is living in B.C.

The AERtells CBCNews its board of directors wasn't aware of the situation.The AER is thesingle regulator of energy development in Alberta from application and exploration, to construction and operation, to decommissioning, closure and reclamation.

Since May, Jennifer Steberhas expensed flights, taxi trips and other costs to go to work at the AER from her residence in B.C. Her expense claims also include mileage on her vehicle driving from her B.C. residence to the Penticton airport in B.C's Okanagan Valley. Steberis part of the executive team at the AER.

The discovery comes after the Alberta government expressed its disappointmentwith the regulator for reimbursingCEO Jim Ellis's travel from B.C.

Former CEO got expenses to come to meetings

CBCNews counted nearly 50 trips, mostly return airfares between Calgary andPenticton, totransport Ellis for the express purpose of attendingAERmeetings.A tally of thoseflights shows costs topping$14,600, not including airfare change fees and other travel expenses. Ellis has since retired.

According to the regulator, Ellisauthorized Steber to file expense claims from her residence in B.C.

"This travel arrangement was approved by theAER's previous CEO, Jim Ellis," said BobCurran, a spokesperson for the regulator, in an email. "TheAERboard of directors has just become aware of this issue and has ordered a thorough review of practices inside theAERto determine what corrective action is required."

There is no indication from her expenses about where in B.C. she lives, howevera property registry search showsSteberis listed as one of the registered owners of a house in Osoyoos, located 60 kilometressouth of Penticton.

The AERlists Steber'ssalary as $373,547 in 2015.

The provincialgovernment sets the budget for the AER, but the oil and gas industry itselffunds the regulator through administrative fees.

According to the regulator, Steber is currently on vacation and couldn't be reached for comment.