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February 9, 2009
Province lays environmental charges against Syncrude
Edmonton... The Alberta government has laid charges against Syncrude Canada Ltd. for failing to have appropriate deterrents in place at a tailings pond at its Aurora North Site mine facility last spring.
The charges result from an incident on April 28, 2008 where waterfowl died after landing on a tailings pond at the facility north of Fort McMurray.
Charges are being laid under section 155 of the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). Under this section, a person who keeps, stores or transports a hazardous substance or pesticide shall do so in a manner that ensures that the hazardous substance does not directly or indirectly come into contact with or contaminate any animals, plants, food or drink.
The maximum penalty for a violation under this section is $500,000.
Hundreds of thousands of water birds travel through the Fort McMurray oil sands areas. Effective bird deterrence is an important part of the Alberta government’s approval requirements for tailings ponds.
Editors Note: Rob Renner, Minister of Environment and Alison Redford, Minister of Justice and Attorney General will be available for questions on February 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the media room at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton. Interested media are also welcome to participate by dialing 1-888-300-0053 and entering conference ID number: 85191524. Reporters who dial in will be greeted by a conference operator asking for their conference ID, name and media affiliation. Reporters are encouraged to dial in 15 minutes early to ensure participation.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Kim Capstick |
Jay O’Neill |
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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