An oil spill into an important Alberta river occurred just as Canada is facing heated disagreements over how to manage its wealth of oil.
The leak from the Plains Midstream Canada pipeline sent between 1,000 and 3,000 barrels of crude oil (160,000 and 475,000 litres) into a tributary of the Red Deer River, one of Alberta’s most significant waterways and the source of drinking water for the City of Red Deer, the province’s third largest city and home to more than 91,000 people.
The spill has been contained at the Gleniffer Reservoir created by the Dickson Dam hydroelectric project and Plains Midstream said crews are working diligently on cleaning up the “release,” as the company refers to it.
“We deeply regret any impact this incident may have on local residents. We want to assure you that we are deploying our resources to contain the release, protect the environment, and respond to your concerns,” Stephen Bart, Vice President, Crude Oil Operations, said in a press statement on June 9.
“These efforts will continue until the release cleanup is complete and the land and water are restored.”
A statement from the City of Red Deer says the city does not expect its water supply will be contaminated; however, people living near the spill have complained about the toxic smell, with some claiming their property is now uninhabitable.
Four years ago a ruptured pipeline leaked oil into the same river.
The spill happened closer to the small town of Sundre, a 100-kilometre drive from Red Deer, though the Red Deer River takes a more direct route.
While Alberta Premier Alison Redford said the incident was unfortunate but manageable, environmentalists say more such incidents are likely with the federal government about to streamline the process for energy project approvals.
Greenpeace oil sands campaigner Mike Hudema went to the spill site Friday and blogged about it on Sunday.
“What I saw was an area decimated by oil. Everywhere I went along the Red Deer river were huge oil plumes, and oil covered sheens. The smell in the air was noticeably toxic and the spill’s damage went on for kilometres,” Hudema wrote.
“The damage of the spill on the natural environment is still being determined but already fish and animals like beaver have been reported as heavily oiled. The impact will likely be felt for years.”
Canada’s Conservative government is facing stiff opposition to an omnibus budget bill that contains measures to streamline approvals for energy projects, including pipelines.
Opposition parties are carrying out a strategy laid out by Green Party leader and sole MP Elizabeth May to filibuster the bill by proposing hundreds of amendments.
May says the bill’s numerous measures meant to encourage energy project development will dramatically lessen environmental protections.
