Plains Midstream must pay $850,000 for pipeline leak

July 18, 2014 - Red Deer, Alberta - Environment Canada

Plains Midstream has been ordered to pay $850,000 after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act and one count under provincial environmental legislation. The charges relate to the failure to notify authorities of a deposit of a deleterious substance into the Red Deer River, which is fish-bearing.

On June 7, 2012, Environment Canada dispatched officers to a spill of crude oil in the Red Deer River near Sundre. An investigation was initiated by Environment Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, and it was determined that the substance released was acutely lethal to fish. The release had originated from an underground pipeline owned by Plains Midstream.

Quick Facts

• Of the total $850,000 penalty, $400,000 relates to the federal Fisheries Act offence, which will be credited to Environment Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund (EDF), and will be directed toward projects in the Red Deer River Watershed. The remaining amount relates to the provincial offence.
• The EDF is administered by Environment Canada to direct funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to projects that will benefit the health of our natural environment.
• Community groups and other organizations can apply for EDF funding for restoration and other environmental protection projects.

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008