CALGARY, AB, December 19, 2022 – The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has laid four charges in relation to a release from a pipeline in 2020 that was owned and operated by ARC Resources Ltd. following an investigation by the AER's Major Investigations Team.
The charges, laid under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, are as follows:
- One count for releasing a substance into the environment that caused or may cause a significant adverse effect.
- One count for failing to report the release as soon as they knew or ought to have known of the release.
- One count for failing to take all reasonable measures to repair, remedy, and confine the effects of the substance as soon as they became aware or ought to have become aware of the pipeline release.
- One count for failing to take all reasonable measures to remediate, manage, remove, or otherwise dispose of the substance in such a manner as to prevent an adverse effect or further adverse effect as soon as they became aware or ought to have become aware of the pipeline release.
All contraventions are alleged to have occurred at or near Drayton Valley, Alberta, between December 9and December 25, 2020. The company's first appearance in court will be February 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Drayton Valley Provincial Court of Alberta.
For more information, visit the AER Compliance Dashboard.
As this matter is now before the court, the AER will not be providing any additional information.
About the Alberta Energy Regulator
The AER ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of energy resources in Alberta through our regulatory activities. For more information, visit AER.ca.