Premier Danielle Smith released a statement yesterday hoping to address "inaccurate claims" on the recently announced Liability Management Incentive Program.

The proposed program aims to incentivize oil companies to clean up Alberta's orphaned wells, particularly those drilled before 1980.

Under the pilot program, companies would provide a royalty credit to companies who invest in cleanup efforts, specifically those who invest more than they are already obligated to.

It quickly received scrutiny, with critics saying the government shouldn't be paying companies to do something they're already under a legal obligation to do.

This, along with reported record profits due to soaring oil prices, led to more criticism of the notion of paying these companies for cleanup.

In her statement, Premier Smith clarified the kind of money that's being talked about for the pilot, and how it would be doled out.

"While final decisions have not been made, the total amount of royalty credits proposed to be used for the pilot program is likely to be up to $100 million over three years – after which time, the government would assess the effectiveness of the program and consult again before deciding how best to proceed."

She says the minimum amount to be spent on cleanup efforts is $740 million, which will increase nine per cent annually.

Alberta's energy minister is also consulting with landowners as well as Indigenous and industry groups on a rehabilitation pilot program.

It's expected to take several months, at which point the province will consider how to proceed.

Smith describes the pilot as a pragmatic plan to tackle the longstanding issue.

"This is the first government to try to find solutions to this problem and we look forward to the results of the consultations."