WALKERTON, Ont. – November 5, 2012 – On October 29, 2012, Bruce Power Limited Partnership pleaded guilty in the Ontario Provincial Court of Justice to one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). This has resulted in a penalty of $100,000. The charge is for failure to conduct a leak test of all the components of an air-conditioning system or refrigeration system, contrary to the Federal Halocarbon Regulations, 2003.
Under CEPA, 1999, the company is required to conduct testing of their refrigeration system. The company failed to comply with requirements set out in the Federal Halocarbon Regulations, 2003, which requires that companies conduct an annual leak test on refrigeration systems that come into contact with halocarbons, and did thereby commit an offence contrary to paragraph 272(1)(a) of CEPA, 1999.
Bruce Power Limited Partnership is required to pay a total penalty of $100,000, which is broken down as follows: a fine of $40,000 for one count under CEPA, 1999, to be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund; a court order for an additional $20,000 awarded directly to the Environmental Damages Fund; a court order to pay $20,000 to the Saugeen Valley Conservation Foundation, $15,000 to sauGREEN for the Environment, and $5,000 to the Penetangore Watershed Group.
CEPA, 1999, aims to prevent pollution, and protect the environment and human health by preventing and managing risks posed by toxic and other harmful substances.
The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment Canada. It was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit our natural environment.
Please visit our website to learn more about the CEPA, 1999, and the Environmental Damages Fund.
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