trans mountain pipeline fined $196k for violations on expansion project near abbotsford
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file photo of the trans mountain expansion project.
ed kaiser
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00089142a
trans mountain has paid $196,000 in fines for repeatedly failing to protect the environment during a 2024 storm at its pipeline expansion project near abbotsford.
the canada energy regulator had initially fined the company $292,000 in october, but that was reduced after a review. the maximum daily penalty is $100,000.
in a statement, the regulator said the $196,000 is the largest cumulative fine it has issued to date.
the violations include four separate penalties for failing to implement environmental protection measures during severe weather between jan. 28 and jan. 31, 2024, according to the statement.
inspection officers determined evidence of monitoring gaps in the maintenance, inspection, and functionality of drainage, erosion and sediment control measures.
these observations, supported by inspection records, demonstrated that the required environmental protection measures were not carried out by trans mountain on “an ongoing and consistent basis,” the regulator said.
in chilliwack, the inspection order noted company officials learned that a roadside ditch crossing had been breached early on jan. 28, but extra pumps on site were not turned on until the next afternoon, according to the canadian press.
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the regulator ordered trans mountain to immediately respond with all available resources to address environmental deficiencies and non-compliances along the fraser valley pipeline route, the cp reported.
trans mountain previously received three other notices of violations. the company was last issued an administrative monetary penalty by the regulator in 2022 when it was fined $164,000 in connection to a 2020 workplace death near edmonton.
earlier that year, it was initially fined $88,000 for disturbing bird nests, but that was later reduced to $4,000 on review.
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