An Information Service for Alberta’s Environment Industry The Week Ending January 3rd, 2014
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Inside this Issue: WaterTech 2014: Abstract Submission Deadline – January 3rd April 9 - 11, 2014 • 75 Alberta Environment Farimont Banff Springs Regulators Now Paid by Oil Industry Call for Abstracts: The 7th Annual WaterTech Symposium will be held April 9-11, • Sherritt Says in Will Be 2014 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The Call for Abstract for WaterTech Responsible for Obed 2014 is available at: www.esaa-events.com/watertech/. Mine Spill Costs Despite Sale At this time, ESAA is requesting technical abstracts focused in, but not limited to, • Alberta Landfill Fire the following areas: Costs to Double • Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction/Management • Remediation Technology • Watershed Management/Planning/Modelling News and Resources • Data Collection/Monitoring/Testing • Upcoming Events • Protection and Sustainable Management of Water Resources • Water Quality • Job Board • Emerging Contaminants • and much more …. • Facility Operations, Industrial Issues, and Technologies • Industrial Wastewater Treatment
U • Produced Water Management The ESAA Weekly • Deep Well Injection News is published • Integrated Research weekly by: • Regulatory Issues
Environmental Services • Saline vs. Non-Saline Issues Association of Alberta • Coal-bed Methane Development 102, 2528 Ellwood • Hydraulic Fracturing Issues Drive SW • Oilsands Water Usage Edmonton, AB T6X 0A9 (P) 780.429.6363 • Oilsands Groundwater Contamination and Management (F) 780.429.4249
[email protected] UTTTH T New for 2014: In addition, ESAA is requesting presentations in the following areas
www.esaa.orgHTTTU UTTH T that will form part of special streams at WaterTech 2014: • Flood Management, Forecasting, Recovery, Monitoring
Comments & submissions • Oilsands Water Usage are welcome! • Pipeline Safety and Spill Response
Please submit your Deadline to submit an abstract is January 3rd. Complete details available at: announcement via e-mail to: http://www.esaa-events.com/watertech/.
[email protected] UTTTH T Registration is now open for the 7th Annual WaterTech symposium being held ...environmental April 9-11, 2014 at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Early Bird registration rates are integrity through available until January 10th, 2014. Full details available online at: www.esaa- innovative business solutions events.com/watertech/.
EB 2014: Professional Development Courses - 60% Sold Out February 10-12, 2014 Edmonton Marriott @ River Cree Resort and Casino
There is a limit of 25 registrations per course. Courses filled up quickly for EB 2013 and are already 60% sold out for 2014.
EB 2014 will feature15 courses, including 5 new courses. All course descriptions have been updated.
Complete courses descriptions and on-line registration available at: www.environmentbusiness.ca.
February 10, 2014 - One Day Courses • Soil Chemistry for Remediating Salt-Affected Soils – 7 Spots Left • An Introduction to Environmental and Regulatory Law 2014 – 8 Spots Left • Introduction to the Federal Fisheries Navigable Waters Protection Acts – 18 Spots Left • Waste Classification and Disposal in Alberta – 9 Spots Left • Business and Project Risk Management of Contaminated Sites – 19 Spots Left • Environmental Management for Construction Projects – NEW – 1 Spot Left
February 10 & 11, 2014 - Two Day Course • Introduction to Soil Science – NEW – 15 Spots Left
February 11, 2014 - One Day Courses • Soil Chemistry for Remediating Salt-Affected Soils - 2nd Course – 21 Spots Left • Waste Classification and Disposal in Alberta - 2nd Course – SOLD OUT
February 11 & 12, 2014 – Two Day Courses • An Introduction to Using Groundwater Models in Contaminated Site Assessment and Remediation Design – 21 Spots Left • Introduction to Hydrogeology – NEW – 4 Spots Left • Air Quality Management – 9 Spots Left • Environmental Project Management Planning Essentials – 16 Spots Left • Occupational Hygiene – NEW – 23 Spots Left • Spill Response and Low Impact Remedial Measures-Wetland and Water Bodies – NEW – SOLD OUT
Complete courses descriptions and on-line registration available at: www.environmentbusiness.ca.
Two Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available at EB’2014: Two sponsorship opportunities are still available. Full details are also available online at: http://www.environmentbusiness.ca/sponsors.htm.
75 ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT REGULATORS NOW PAID BY OIL INDUSTRY (Source: Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON - More than 75 environment officers who watched over oil industry activities left the provincial environment department this fall, to take higher paying jobs with the new industry-funded Alberta Energy Regulator. Another 75-plus are expected to leave in the spring.
In mid-November, the department also began handing over to the regulator thousands of files on oil industry activity pertaining to the Public Lands Act, according to documents obtained by the Journal.
This shift in staffing and the moving of years of files out of a government department to the new arm’s length regulator are key steps in the government’s plan, announced last spring, to create a more streamlined approval process for oil companies that wanted “one window” to get permits for new projects.
Previously, companies had to apply to the environment department for some permits and to the old regulator, the now defunct Energy Resources Conservation Board.
To achieve the “one window,” the provincial government handed over to the privately funded regulator responsibility for administering the Water Act, Public Lands Act, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (dealing with spills) as they pertain to energy companies.
Former Energy Minister Ken Hughes said last spring that the new regulator will have checks and transparency built in to make sure it enforces environment laws as strongly as occurred under the environment department. The new regulator is funded solely by industry, whereas previously, the regulator was funded jointly by industry and government.
But New Democrat Rachel Notley worries the dismantling of large parts of the environment department will result in weaker protection because the Alberta Energy Regulator’s mandate is to advance oil industry activity.
“This is just another step going down this road — we now have a regulator whose prime mandate in legislation is to promote economic development and it is now also the prime environmental enforcer in the oilpatch,” said Notley.
Environment department staff began to move over in September, with the bulk leaving in late November, according to documents. The group includes fish and wildlife officers, forestry officers, biologists, and rangers in various locations.
The salaries in some cases are 25 to 80 per cent higher, noted Mike Dempsey, a vice-president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. Many are union members who must give up AUPE membership to transfer, he added.
“We’re hoping they are bringing their work ethic over there,” said Dempsey. “We’re trying to take a glass-is-half-full approach. “
But there’s “a lot of talk around the coffee table,” about the perception of potential conflict of interest when employees’ salaries are paid by the industry they are enforcing, and not by taxpayers, he said.
“How unbiased can this be, just in perception?” said Dempsey.
Enforcement officers “will be in the position” of handing out penalties for poor practices on land-clearing to the companies paying their salaries, said Dempsey, adding that the department urged staff to apply for the new jobs.
The change for environmental enforcement is major and must be closely watched, said Notley.
“I think it’s going to come down to the culture of the organization,” and industry has more opportunity to influence the new regulator given that its chairman of the board is Gerry Protti, a founder of the oil industry lobby group, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, she said.
Under Protti is chief executive, Jim Ellis, a former deputy minister of environment. His record is troubling, said Notley.
“It was on Ellis’s watch,” said Notley, that the department circulated an internal briefing note that criticized a respected environment group, the Pembina Institute, for publishing “negative media on the oilsands” and stated that was a reason to deny environmental groups standing at an oilsands hearing. The memo was revealed in a recent trial in which the judge ruled against the department.
Notley said she’s also worried that if the new regulator takes a softer approach to environmental enforcement for the energy industry, other industries will push the environment department to adopt the same approach.
Former Environment Minister Diana McQueen promised last spring that the department’s budget would not be cut, so there may be room to hire other staff, Notley noted.
The environment department will still oversee industries such as forestry and gravel excavation, and develop the regional land-use plans that will be key in determining acceptable industry activity and pollution levels, McQueen said.
Meanwhile, Brad Pickering, a longtime deputy minister, has been appointed to head Alberta’s environmental monitoring agency that will take over the job of measuring pollution in air, water and wildlife when the current joint federal provincial monitoring agency expires next year. That body may also hire away more people from the environment department, Dempsey added.
Pickering has been deputy minister of tourism, parks and recreation, solicitor general, sustainable resource development and municipal affairs.
Whitecourt MLA Robin Campbell took over the environment post two weeks ago.
A spokesperson for the Alberta Energy Regulator was unavailable for comment.
SHERRITT SAYS IT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBED MINE SPILL COSTS DESPITE SALE (Source: Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON - The company responsible for a coal slurry spill in Western Alberta will look after the cleanup even though the mine was sold on Christmas Eve, officials said Friday.
Sherritt International vice-president Sean McCaughan said the $946-million sale was in the works long before the Oct. 31 spill, and the company is “in no way, shape, or form” trying to avoid responsibility for the leak.
“As we’ve always said, this is something that we are taking very, very seriously, and it is unfortunate, and we’re sorry that it happened, and going forward we’re doing what we can to make this right,” McCaughan said.
Sherritt sold the Obed Mountain Mine near Hinton to Colorado-based coal giant Westmoreland Coal Company for $465 million; other coal assets were sold to Altius Minerals.
“Westmoreland is aligned with us. They want, like Sherritt, to handle this professionally and appropriately and for us to do what’s right and to live up to our commitments,” McCaughan said
There is a clause in the agreement with Westmoreland that requires Sherritt to pay any costs associated with the cleanup at the Obed mine.
“The transaction documentation that is worked out with Westmoreland requires Sherritt to continue to be responsible for all financial obligations resulting from the release, including all remediation obligations,” he said.
“Sherritt and Westmoreland have expressly agreed that they will work together, co-operate through the incident going forward, including all remediation, responding to the environmental protection order, all ongoing interactions with the environmental and government authorities and stakeholders as well.”
A spokesman for Westmoreland could not be reached Friday for comment.
On Oct. 31, at least 670 million litres of waste water leaked from a containment pond on the mine site, along with 90,000 tonnes of muddy sediment made up of coal particles, clay and sand.
The sludge overwhelmed the Apetowun and Plante Creeks and eroded the banks for at least five kilometres. The plume of coal mine waste grew 100 kilometres long as it travelled down the Athabasca River.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. James Talbot told Albertans not to drink the water while the plume was going by, because mercury levels were nine times higher than normal and the levels of cancer-causing hydrocarbons were four times higher than that allowed in Canadian drinking water.
Canada’s National Pollution Release Inventory says the slurry impoundment at the mine contained phenathrene, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead and manganese.
The river is a trout-producing waterway that is home to the endangered bull trout and Alberta’s only native species of trout, however, Sherritt hired third-party water quality and aquatic life experts who reported the sediment in the river “had no measurable impact on fish.”
Early reports said one billion litres had spilled into the river, but Sherritt later issued a statement that put the amount at 670 million litres. Either way, the spill is likely the largest in Canadian history.
A spokesperson for Alberta Environment could not be reached for comment Friday.
ALBERTA LANDFILL FIRE COST TO DOUBLE EXPECTATION (Source: Medicine Hat News) The cost of putting out the Westar Landfill fire is likely to be double what was originally anticipated and it’s not clear at this stage if the landfill is open for business once more. “It would not shock me if the bill for putting the fire out is $2 million,” said Kevin Miner, CAO Cypress County, that had originally expected the cost to be in the region of $1 million.
Cypress County is hoping to recover the cost from others.
“Ideally Westar will pay it all,” said Miner. “If not, we will go through our insurers for some of it, and after that I am sure we will knock on the province’s door.”
Regarding resumption of business at Westar Landfill, Alberta Environment has told Cypress County there will be amendments to its approval for the Class 3 landfill. Miner says he believes Alberta Environment is planning to have “an amendment to the approval” for Westar by mid-January.
“The owner told myself at a meeting they are generally always closed over the winter and don’t open until the spring. That is their tentative plan right now,” said Miner.
On Tuesday, Alberta Environment would not say whether the landfill is currently open or when it will be allowed to reopen.
“As this incident is an active investigation, we cannot speak to the aspects and details that will be investigated, nor can we speculate on operations at the landfill,” said Renee Hackney, spokesperson for Alberta Environment, in an emailed response to the questions.
The News left messages on Tuesday at three telephone numbers for Westar Landfill requesting comment. The calls were not returned by the end of the business day.
The people living near the landfill who had concerns about the safety of grazing land and hay for their animals were told it was up to them to do any testing.
“It is up to the individual to get it tested,” said Miner. “They may have to take off the top tiny little bit but overall the hay would be good. When we did our re-entry for the people we gave them a letter with a number to call (for testing).”
Miner was not sure what it would cost to have any tests done.
Cypress County has on file a couple of pre-fire complaints about Westar. Miner says complaints made to Alberta Environment were also passed on to the County.
“From what I can see it was complaints about refuse blowing off the site,” said Miner. “Those are the only complaints that I have seen and I think the last one I saw was made in 2009. Alberta Environment could have had more but we don’t know.”
The Westar Landfill fire began on Nov. 18 and exactly one month later, those in the vicinity who were under a mandatory evacuation were allowed to return home.
Hellfire Suppression Services of Rocky Mountain House was brought in to deal with an estimated 1.2 million cubic metres of material and put the fire out.
On Dec. 30, Cypress County Fire Chief Dennis Mann said the fire was officially out.
EDMONTON PREPS FOR INFLUX OF MERCURY-FILLED BULBS AT ECOSTATIONS Officials urge residents to recycle compact fluorescents (Source: Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON - Inefficient incandescent light bulbs will disappear from store shelves in 2014 and the City of Edmonton is ready for an influx of hazardous mercury-filled compact fluorescents at city ecostations. Starting Jan. 1, the federal government will bar retailers from ordering new shipments of traditional 100-watt incandescent light bulbs. The change was first announced in 2007 and is expected to reduce the amount of power Canadians use to light their homes.
The new regulations were delayed in part due to concerns about the risks associated with mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs; a 2012 report commissioned by Environment Canada found Canada’s mercury-waste facilities are patchwork or non-existent, and no national or industry-wide standards for handling mercury waste.
City of Edmonton waste management spokeswoman Connie Boyce said fluorescent lighting is not a “regulated waste” in Alberta, which means municipalities are under no obligation to treat it in a special way. The City of Edmonton, however, has long treated the bulbs as hazardous waste.
“We’ve been accepting fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs at ecostations for many years, to try to keep them out of the regular garbage,” Boyce said. In 2012, ecostations recycled 43,342 compact fluorescent bulbs and 233,679 feet of fluorescent tube.
“The fluorescent tubes and CF bulbs are crushed in a processing piece of equipment. The glass and aluminum are recycled and the mercury vapours are collected in a filter, and those filters are sent to Swan Hills for proper disposal,” Boyce said.
“We’re already set up to deal with any increase in compact fluorescents or tubes.”
Meanwhile, retailers and lighting experts are stocking up on alternatives.
“There is no need to panic about the light fixtures in your home, because there will be a bulb that works,” said Tim Pasma, manager at Edmonton’s Park Lighting.
Pasma said people have three options for replacing burnt-out incandescent bulbs: halogen, compact fluorescent and light-emitting diode, better known as LED.
Halogen bulbs are most economical; they burn 1,000 hours, and cost about $2 apiece. Compact fluorescent bulbs burn for up to 10,000 hours and cost up to $5 each, while LED bulbs burn 25,000 to 50,000 hours and cost $20 to $30 each.
An old incandescent costs about 60 cents, and burns 1,500 hours.
People who want to recreate the warm glow cast by their old-fashioned incandescent should seek out a bulb with a low “colour temperature.” Traditional bulbs have a warm, orange colour temperature of 2700 kelvin, while more industrial settings use bulbs with cool, blue colour temperatures of between 4100 and 5000 kelvin.
Pasma says all three types of bulbs come in 2700 kelvin, but the most popular is the halogen bulb.
“It’s a fairly comparable bulb in terms of the colour, temperature and the look of the light bulb, but it draws less power and it’s a little bit brighter,” Pasma said.
The new Canadian standards align with similar changes in the United States. Ron Arnold, vice-president of the U.S. Centre for the Defense of Free Enterprise, has been a vocal critic of the shift to more energy efficient light bulbs south of the border.
“It’s ideological, at root. There are numbers of people who think that efficiency, per se, is what it’s really about — no, it’s not,” said Arnold, who is the author of several books including EcoTerror: The Violent Agenda to Save Nature and Trashing the Economy: How Runaway Environmentalism is Wrecking America.
“It is essentially people who don’t particularly like the (energy) production system, period — particularly one that uses fossil fuels.”
MERCURY LEVELS FOUND TO BE RISING IN AREA AROUND ALBERTA OILSANDS But pollution higher in southern Quebec, scientists say (Source: Montreal Gazette) Mercury wafting out of oilsands operations is impacting an area - or "bull'seye" - that extends for about 19,000 square kilometres in northeast Alberta, according to federal scientists.
Levels of the potent neurotoxin found near the massive industrial operation have been found to be up to 16 times higher than "background" levels for the region, said Environment Canada researcher Jane Kirk, who recently reported the findings at an international toxicology conference.
Mercury can bioaccumulate in living creatures and chronic exposure can cause brain damage. It is such a concern that federal Environment
Minister Leona Aglukkaq signed an international treaty in October pledging Canada to further reduce releases to the environment.
The federal scientists stress the mercury loadings around the oilsands are low compared to the contamination seen in many parts of North America, including southern Ontario and southern Quebec.
But they say the mercury is "the No. 1 concern" when it comes to the metal toxins generated by oilsands operations. It is also a major worry for aboriginal and environmental groups concerned about the oilsands' impact on fishing, hunting and important wildlife staging areas downstream of the oilsands.
Environment Canada scientists are sampling everything from snow to lichens to bird eggs as part of the federal- provincial joint oilsands monitoring program.
Kirk, who will publish the findings in a scientific study in 2014, told the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry conference in Nashville, Tenn., in November that about 19,000 square kilometres are "currently impacted by airborne (mercury) emissions originating from oilsands developments."
The levels decrease with distance from the oilsands. "It's a gradual thing like a bull's-eye," said co-investigator Derek Muir, head of Environment Canada's ecosystem contaminants dynamics section.
Muir and Kirk stressed in an interview that much higher levels of mercury pollution are seen in southern Ontario and southern Quebec, which are on the receiving end of toxins created by incinerators, combustion and coal-burning power plants.
The scientists say much research remains to be done on the mercury around the oilsands, but there are indications the toxin is building up in some of the wildlife.
Environment Canada wildlife scientist Craig Hebert has been comparing eggs from water birds from northern and southern Alberta. He told the toxicology conference that mercury levels have been increasing in eggs of several bird species downstream of the oilsands. And in 2012 the mercury levels in the majority of Caspian Tern eggs "exceeded the lower toxicity threshold," he reported, noting more work is needed to evaluate the sources and impact of mercury in the fish-eating birds.
Kirk's team studies snow. The researchers visit close to 100 sites every March collecting cores of the snowpack near the oilsands and in forests and on frozen lakes in northeast Alberta. In the lab they measure the contaminants that have collected in the snow over the winter months and calculate how much contamination enters the ecosystem at spring melt.
The oilsands' upgraders, open pit mines, exposed coke piles and tailings ponds have been associated in previous work with polycyclic aromatic compounds, which have been linked to cancer, and a long list of other chemicals including 13 priority pollutant elements such as lead, cadmium and selenium.
EIGHT MONTHS LATER CNRL SITES CONTINUE TO SEEP BITUMEN A LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR THAT WAS ON CNRL'S PRIMROSE SITES (Source: Bonneyville News) Nearly two million litres of bitumen emulsion has seeped to the surface at the Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) Primrose site this year and the company still hasn’t found a way to stop it.
Four separate spills, which were reported on May 20, June 8 and June 24 of 2013, resulted in 1.878 million liters of bitumen emulsion leaking into the environment at the CNRL Primrose site, 45 kilometers northwest of Cold Lake.
As of Sept. 14, the company had removed a total of 202 dead animals, 515 cubic metres of oily vegetation and 14,491 metric tones of soil due to the impact caused by the bitumen releases.
The company received a series of environmental protection orders (EPO) from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD), which forced the company to speed up its cleaning process, temporarily remove water from an unnamed body of water, and research the spills’ impacts on groundwater aquifers.
The fourth spill, which was reported on June 24, resulted in the AER stepping in and ordering the first series of restrictions, officially launching an investigation.
The AER’s initial order to CNRL was to restrict steam injections, enhance monitoring and continue to accelerate cleanup efforts.
Over a month later the company and the energy regulator reported the site was still seeping bitumen emulsion into the environment. The affected area was mapped out to be 13.5 hectares of land, which included an unnamed body of water near the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
CNRL Investor Relations issued its first response to the situation in an email to the Bonnyville Nouvelle, which appeared in the July 30 issue of the paper.
“The areas have been secured and the emulsion is being managed with clean up, recovery and reclamation activities well underway. The presence of emulsion on the surface does not pose a health or human safety risk. The sites are located in a remote area, which has restricted access to the public. The emulsion is being effectively cleaned up with manageable environmental impact.”
At the beginning of August, CNRL held a conference call in which company President Steve Laut addressed the media and investors.
“Canadian Natural is confident the cause of the bitumen emulsion seepage is due to mechanical failure of wellbores in the vicinity of the impacted location,” said Laut on July 31.
“We have a pretty good idea of the likely wellbores. The one well that we are looking at was an old well drilled by a previous operator in the area, in like 1997. That is what we think the most likely culprit is,” said Laut.
This was the first time that CNRL had mentioned the suspected reason as to why the bitumen seepage was happening. Still, the four locations continued to seep bitumen into the environment at a combined rate of about 20 barrels a day.
The fact the spill had been going on for three months without much of a solution irked environmentalists, such as Mike Hudema of Greenpeace Canada.
“A company should only get so many chances before the government steps in and says ‘no more’. Given the four current on-going spills and CNRL’s poor spill track record, CNRL has had more than its fair share,” said Hudema.
“The Alberta Energy Regulator should revoke CNRL’s approval at this site and review and increase safety measures for in-situ sites throughout the province. It’s time Alberta’s Energy Regulator actually stood-up for the public interest. Revoking CNRL’s approval would be a good and justified start.”
Over three months after the fourth was reported, CNRL took media and politicians on a tour around the affected site.
Former Bonnyville Mayor Ernie Isley, who participated in a tour on August 8, felt the clean-up efforts were going great and that the company was being “super-responsible”.
“This is the cost of doing business,” said Isley. The company is “expending a lot of money and a lot of resources to find out the source of the leaks and fix it. You never want to see this but you’re in this business and there will be equipment failures and machines break.”
After seeing the pictures and reports taken during the media tour, a variety of groups stepped up and supported the idea of a public inquiry into the safety of in-situ technology.
On Aug. 13, a lengthy, detailed letter was sent to AER CEO Jim Ellis, calling for a broad investigation into the safety of in-situ technology.
“While the AER has suspended and restricted steam injection operations at the CNRL Primrose operations in response to the most recent events, it is unacceptable to have long fissures in the ground that will continue to spill toxic heated bitumen to surface, and to further risk our water and groundwater resources from these activities. The time has come for a broader inquiry into CSS and SAGD steam injection operations”, said Carolyn Campbell, Conservation Specialist with the Alberta Wilderness Association.
The beginning of October saw the Alberta ESRD order CNRL to temporarily remove water from an unnamed body of water at their Primrose site, which had been contaminated by the spill.
The ESRD felt that the temporary containment measures in place at the time wouldn’t have been effective in the winter if the lake froze all the way to the bottom.
CNRL has said the removal of the water will allow workers access to a fissure at the bottom of the shallow body of water.
“We are in a phase in our restoration plan for the site where we require access to the fissure below the shallow water body,” wrote CNRL public affairs advisor Zoe Addington. “This (EPO) will allow us to isolate, excavate and contain the fissure below the water body. To facilitate this work, the water from the area will be moved and stored near-by and returned the following year.”
By Oct. 10, four organizations – CNRL, the AER, Alberta ESRD and Environment Canada – were investigating the incidents.
Former Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes visited the Primrose sites a few times over the course of the year and has continued to receive updates on the situation.
“I can tell you that (CNRL) is under the very tight guidance of the regulator to ensure we understand exactly what is going on there and that this kind of emulsion of bitumen does not happen again,” said Hughes, in an interview with the Bonnyville Nouvelle.
“The regulator is working with the company to try and understand exactly what the root cause of the problem is and that will inform the regulator about what the company can do in the future to specifically avoid this happening again.”
November saw another enforcement order handed out to CNRL, which required the company to determine the impact on subsurface groundwater and find the root cause of all four bitumen releases.
According to the 15-page enforcement order, bitumen emulsion, which has been seeping to the surface on an ongoing basis for the past six months, “has entered local non-saline groundwater aquifers, likely contaminating the groundwater.”
“(CNRL’s) efforts to date have focused on ensuring each surface location is secured, and that recovery and reclamation activities progress,” wrote Addington, in an email to the Nouvelle.
“We will comply with all aspects of the order and we look forward to the opportunity to further our investigation in a timely manner. Canadian Natural will continue to make available any resources for investigation and clean-up and towards putting safeguards in place to ensure events such as these do not happen again.”
To execute the order, CNRL must initiate a drilling program. The work will be done during the winter months to minimize the environmental impact of the drilling activities.
CNRL has no new information on the spill and has yet to officially release the cause of the four sites seeping bitumen emulsion to the surface. The company plans to release a detailed report, along with an updated website in the second week of January.
SASKATCHEWAN STARTS RECYCLING ANTIFREEZE, DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (Source: HazMat Magazine) Saskatchewan’s new environmental regulations for recycling used antifreeze, plastic antifreeze and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) containers come into effect on January 1, 2014.
The new regulations increase the list of recyclable petroleum products managed by the Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corp. (SARRC). The Association currently operates the provincially-approved, industry-led recycling program for used oil, used oil filters and used plastic oil containers (up to 50 litres).
"The expanded recycling program is important for the environment as well as our quality of life," said Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. "Used antifreeze is toxic and contains heavy metals. Under this program, there is the potential to recycle over three million litres of these hazardous materials each year which can help extend the life of Saskatchewan landfills,” he added. “Recycling antifreeze is both cost-effective and saves resources."
To fund the program, SARRC's 179 members will be adding an Environmental Handling Charge (EHC), similar to that on new petroleum products, to the price of antifreeze (concentrate & pre-mix); antifreeze containers (up to 50 litres) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) containers (up to 50 litres), effective April 1, 2014.
SARRC manages the industry-led stewardship program for used oil materials in Saskatchewan.
"Our current network of collection points, as well as registered collectors and processors are ready to recover and recycle these materials," said Phil Wrubleski, executive director of SARRC. "The new products are logical extensions of the recyclable materials already captured through our province-wide network. All materials recovered will be recycled and reused."
For more information on how the program works, its members, registered collectors and processors, and the location of nearly 200 collection points, please click here.
SEMCAMS ULC PLEADS GUILTY AND IS ORDERED TO PAY $350,000 FOR RELEASE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FROM RUPTURED PIPELINE EDMONTON, AB - December 27, 2013 - SemCAMS ULC was ordered to pay $350,000 on December 23, 2013, in Alberta Provincial Court after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act and one count under provincial environmental legislation. The charges relate to a release of 852,000 litres of industrial wastewater from a ruptured pipeline near Fox Creek, Alberta.
On August 10, 2010, Environment Canada responded to a report concerning the release of industrial wastewater into muskeg and a small unnamed creek. During the response, hundreds of dead fish were discovered in the creek downstream of the spill. A joint investigation into the release was conducted by Environment Canada and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. The wastewater had been generated from the processing of natural gas and liquid hydrocarbons at the SemCAMS ULC facility, and was being transported by an underground pipeline when the pipeline ruptured. Sample analysis determined the wastewater was harmful to fish.
For the count relating to the Fisheries Act (depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish), SemCAMS ULC is required to pay a federal penalty of $200,000. Of this penalty:
• $185,000 is to be paid into the Environmental Damages Fund; and • $15,000 is a fine to be paid to the court.
The remaining $150,000 of the total penalty relates to the provincial offence. The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment Canada to direct funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to projects that will benefit our natural environment.
DOMTAR INC. ORDERED TO PAY $75,000 FOR VIOLATIONS OF FISHERIES ACT ESPANOLA, Ont. – December 20, 2013 – Domtar Inc. was sentenced on December 17, 2013, in Ontario Provincial Court for violating the Fisheries Act and was ordered to pay $75,000, of which $67,500 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.
Domtar Inc. pleaded guilty to one count pursuant to subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act for offences occurring at its mill in Espanola, Ontario, between December 14 and 16 of 2010. Domtar Inc. failed to adhere to the regulatory limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and thereby deposited effluent that was deleterious to fish, contrary to the Fisheries Act. Discharge of BOD matter into water leads to the consumption of oxygen in the receiving water which may render the water uninhabitable to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Environment Canada’s enforcement personnel conduct inspections and investigations under a number of acts and regulations including the Fisheries Act. They help ensure that companies, government entities and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect Canada's environment.
The Environmental Damages Fund, which is administered by Environment Canada, 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 environment.
NORTH ATLANTIC REFINING LIMITED FINED $100,000 FOR FISHERIES ACT VIOLATION ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – December 20, 2013 – North Atlantic Refining Limited (NARL) of Newfoundland and Labrador was sentenced to pay $100,000 in St. John’s Provincial Court after pleading guilty to violating the Fisheries Act. The penalty includes a $25,000 fine. The remaining $75,000 will go to the Environmental Damages Fund.
The conviction followed a two-year investigation by Environment Canada’s Environmental Enforcement Directorate, initiated after receiving reports of diesel fuel near Powers Pond in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador. It was determined that fuel was being released from a storm sewer outfall discharging near Powers Pond. The source of the fuel was traced back to a manhole adjacent to the NARL bulk fuel storage facility. Samples were collected at the scene for further analysis and sent to Environment Canada’s Moncton lab where chemists successfully matched the fuel from the storm sewer outfall to the fuel in the manhole adjacent to the facility.
Subsection 36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act protects water frequented by fish from the direct or indirect deposit of any substance that is deleterious or harmful to fish. Diesel is considered deleterious to fish.
The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment Canada to direct funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to projects that will benefit our natural environment.
Remediation Technology News and Resources
(The following are selected items from the US EPA's Tech Direct - http://clu-in.org/techdirect/)
Upcoming Live Internet Seminars
ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics: New Tools for Better Decisions - January 7, 2014, 2:00PM- 4:15PM EST (19:00-21:15 GMT). Environmental molecular diagnostics (EMDs) are a group of advanced and emerging analytical techniques used to analyze biological and chemical characteristics of environmental samples. Although EMDs have been used over the past 25 years in various scientific fields, particularly medical research and diagnostic fields, their application to environmental remediation management is relatively new and rapidly developing. The ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics Fact Sheets (EMD-1, 2011), ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics Technical and Regulatory Guidance (EMD-2, 2013) and this companion Internet-based training will foster the appropriate uses of EMDs and help regulators, consultants, site owners, and other stakeholders to better understand a site and to make decisions based on the results of EMD analyses. At the conclusion of the training, learners will be able to determine when and how to use the ITRC Environmental Molecular Diagnostics Technical and Regulatory Guidance (EMD-2, 2013); define when EMDs can cost-effectively augment traditional remediation data sets; and describe the utility of various types of EMDs during remediation activities. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live .
ITRC Project Risk Management for Site Remediation - January 14, 2014, 2:00PM-4:15PM EST (19:00- 21:15 GMT). Remediation Risk Management (RRM) is a course of action through which all risks related to the
remediation processes (site investigations, remedy selection, execution, and completion) are holistically addressed in order to maximize the certainty in the cleanup process to protect human health and the environment. Remediation decisions to achieve such a goal should be made based on threshold criteria on human health and ecological risks, while considering all the other potential project risks. Through this training course and associated ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance Document: Project Risk Management for Site Remediation (RRM-1, 2011), the ITRC RRM team presents tools and processes that can help the site remediation practitioner anticipate, plan for, and mitigate many of the most common obstacles to a successful site remediation project. Examples of project risks include remediation technology feasibility risks; remedy selection risks; remedy construction, operation and monitoring risks; remedy performance and operations risks; environmental impacts of systems during their operation; worker safety risk, human health and ecological impacts due to remedy operation; as well as costs and schedules risks including funding and contracting issues. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live .
New Documents and Web Resources
Green Remediation Best Management Practices: Materials and Waste Management (EPA 542-F-13-003). The process of cleaning up a contaminated site often involves purchasing and consuming large volumes of manufactured items as well as raw or processed resources. Site cleanup can also generate significant volumes of waste that could be recycled or salvaged for reuse rather than disposed of at landfills. To help cleanup decision-makers reduce environmental footprints associated with materials and waste, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued a new "green remediation BMP" fact sheet on materials and waste management. The best management practices (BMPs) involve various approaches to purchasing greener products and expanding capability for material reuse or recycling rather than disposal (December 2013, 4 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .
Climate Change Adaptation Technical Fact Sheet: Groundwater Remediation Systems (EPA 542-F-13- 004). In February 2013, the U.S. EPA released the draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The plan examines how EPA programs may be vulnerable to a changing climate and how the Agency can accordingly adapt in order to continue meeting its mission of protecting human health and the environment. EPA's Superfund Program has undertaken associated efforts to identify potential impacts of climate change on site remediation projects and to identify adaptation strategies. A key component of the Superfund climate change adaptation action plan involves developing tools that can help project managers and other cleanup stakeholders to identify, prioritize and implement site-specific measures for increasing remedy resilience to climate change impacts. EPA's new Climate Change Adaptation Technical Fact Sheet: Groundwater Remediation Systems is the first in a series intended to serve as an adaptation planning tool by providing an overview of potential climate change vulnerabilities and presenting possible adaptation measures that may be considered to increase a remedy's resilience to climate change impacts. Concepts addressed in this tool can also apply to site cleanups conducted under other regulatory programs or through voluntary efforts (December 2013, 8 pages). To learn more about climate change adaptation in the Superfund Program, visit www.epa.gov/superfund/climatechange . View or download the fact sheet at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .
EPA Releases Chemical Screening Data on 1,800 Chemicals/Agency Improves Access to Chemical Data and Announces ToxCast Data Challenges. EPA's use of cost effective advanced chemical screening techniques has transformed this country's knowledge of the safety of almost 2,000 chemicals currently in use, said Lek Kadeli, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Research and Development. As part of this data release, EPA is announcing the ToxCast Data Challenges, a series of challenges inviting the science and technology community to work with the data and provide solutions for how the new chemical screening data can be used to predict potential health effects. Challenge winners will receive awards for their innovative research ideas. View the Interactive Chemical Safety for Sustainability (iCSS) Dashboard at http://actor.epa.gov/dashboard/ and participate in the ToxCast Data Challenges at http://epa.gov/ncct/challenges.html .
Technology Innovation News Survey Corner. The Technology Innovation News Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development. Recent issues, complete archives, and subscription information is available at http://clu-in.org/products/tins/ . The following resources were included in recent issues:
• Quantifying Life Cycle Environmental Footprints of Soil and Groundwater Remedies • SERDP and ESTCP Workshop on Long Term Management of Contaminated Groundwater Sites • Oil Spills in Marshes: Planning and Response Considerations
• Mitigation of Pollution from Abandoned Metal Mines • The Impact of DNAPL Source-Zone Architecture on Contaminant Mass Flux and Plume Evolution in Heterogeneous Porous Media • Molecular Biomarkers for Detecting, Monitoring and Quantifying Reductive Microbial Processes • Combining Adsorption with Anodic Oxidation as an Innovative Technique for Removal and Destruction of Organics • Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (with Inhalation Update) • Toxicological Profile for 1,4-Dioxane • Matrix Diffusion Toolkit User's Manual • EPA-EXPO-BOX (A Toolbox for Exposure Assessors) • Residual LNAPL Impacted Sites: Conceptual Site Models and Effective Remedial Strategies
EUGRIS Corner. New Documents on EUGRIS, the platform for European contaminated soil and water information. More than 7 resources, events, projects and news items were added to EUGRIS in December. These can be viewed at http://www.eugris.info/whatsnew.asp . Then select the appropriate month and year for the updates in which you are interested. The following resource was posted on EUGRIS:
Japan to Spend $970M on Nuclear Contaminated Soil Storage. The Japanese government is planning to set aside 100 billion yen (around US$970 million) for a storage facility for tens of thousands of tons of contaminated soil from the radiation caused by the Fukushima disaster.View at http://www.tokyotimes.com/2013/japan-to-spend-almost-1-billion-on-contaminated-soil-storage/.
ESAA Member News
GLOBAL LEADER BUREAU VERITAS SIGNS AN AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE MAXXAM ANALYTICS Mississauga, Ontario. December 23, 2013. Maxxam Analytics is pleased to announce an exciting change in ownership for the company. Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, acquired Maxxam to further strengthen its position in Canada. Maxxam will continue to operate under the Maxxam name as a separate Canadian entity; with no changes to business structure, people or processes.
“This is an important step in the growth of Maxxam and one that enables us to stay focused on our customers, while significantly expanding the range of value-added services we can provide”, explains Jon Hantho, Maxxam’s President & CEO. “Not only is Maxxam a great fit for Bureau Veritas in terms of the industries and geographies we serve, our corporate vision and values are also extremely well aligned.”
“The technical and scientific expertise of the Maxxam team, as well as the company’s solid reputation and performance, are most impressive”, states Didier Michaud-Daniel, CEO of Bureau Veritas. “We are very excited that Maxxam is joining the Bureau Veritas group, a move that will help us establish a strong and strategic presence in North America.”
There will be no operational integration with Bureau Veritas and it will be business as usual for Maxxam’s customers and employees, based on the proven processes and high level of scientific excellence the industry has come to expect from the company. Overtime, the acquisition will allow Maxxam to leverage Bureau Veritas’ global and local networks, to exchange best practices and innovations. By tapping into an expanded suite of testing, inspection and certification services, Maxxam will be able to add value for customers by offering new services and solutions.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, expected in early 2014.
About Maxxam Maxxam Analytics has been committed to contributing to our customers’ success through the application of our knowledge and expertise for over 40 years. Today, Maxxam is the market leader in analytical services and solutions to the energy, environmental, food and DNA industries. In 2012, our 2400 employees combined efficiency and customer service with rigorous science and quality management to process over 2.3 million samples and generate 41 million results. Our commitment to success with responsibility was rewarded with a Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ award and a Toronto Star Award for Excellence in Workplace Integration.
About Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas is a world leader in conformity assessment and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 60,000 employees in around 1,330 offices and laboratories located in 140 countries. Bureau Veritas helps its clients to improve their performances by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index. Compartment A, code ISIN FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. www.bureauveritas.com
Upcoming Events
WATERTECH PRE-CONFERENCE COURSES ESAA is offering three courses on Wednesday, April 9th, 2014 for delegates and non-delegates of WaterTech 2014. Details on each of the courses can be found below.
• An Introduction to Environmental Data Management using Hydro GeoAnalyst • Groundwater Modeling using Visual MODFLOW Flex • Introduction to the Federal Fisheries and Navigable Waters Protection Acts
For more information visit: http://www.esaa-events.com/watertech/courses.htm
2014 Alberta Technical Seminars
AGAT Labs’ 2014 Alberta Technical Seminars: Policy, Advances and Innovations in the Environmental Sector
AGAT Laboratories' 2014 Alberta Technical Seminars on Policy, Advances and Innovations in the Environmental Sector will be held in Calgary on January 24th, 2014 at The Fairmont Palliser Hotel, and in Edmonton on February 7th, 2014 at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald.
Attending these events will offer the opportunity for industry professionals to come together and gain insight on topics related to innovations and regulations in the Environmental Sector. Additionally, it will provide them with the opportunity to present their unique challenges and questions to our industry leaders from a variety of backgrounds such as governmental, laboratory, energy and environmental consulting professions.
Click here to download the Seminar Itinerary.
Registration The seminars will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in each city and will include a number of presentations, breakfast, lunch and networking breaks. The registration fee to attend is $135.00 (includes GST) and includes a full day pass to all talks, hot breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch.
Please register online at: http://www.agatlabs.com/alberta-technical-seminars2014.cfm
BEST 2014 - Call for Abstracts Bettering Environmental Stewardship and Technology BEST 2014 Call for Abstracts extended to January 17, 2014!
The British Columbia Environment Industry Association invites submissions of papers and technical presentations for its upcoming conference on Bettering Environmental Stewardship and Technology (BEST 2014) to be held in beautiful Whistler, BC May 28 to 30, 2014.
Papers and Presentations are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas:
• New innovative technologies in clean energy sector • Doing business with First Nations in the environmental services or clean energy sector • Upcoming major project updates and successes in Western Canada • Sustainable business practice case studies • Emergency Spill Response technologies • Emergency Spill Response Lessons Learned • Innovative Technologies for remediation of contaminated soil • Case studies and lessons learned of successful Brownfield Re-Development Projects • Innovative Technologies in contaminated water treatment • Innovative Technologies in air quality management • Environmental policy initiatives - industry results • Updates to environmental policy from a legal perspective • EA Process and Mining
The preliminary selection of papers and presentations will be based on submitted abstracts and reviewed by a panel of peers. Abstracts should be no more than 500 words, should include a presenter biography, and must be received by January 17, 2014. Please send submissions via e-mail to [email protected]. Notification of acceptance will be given by January 31, 2014. Full presentations must be submitted by March 31, 2014. Download the Call for Abstracts
CPANS EDMONTON LUNCHEON:- OVERVIEW OF THE NEW ENERGY REGULATOR FOR ALBERTA, THE AER
EDMONTON LUNCHEON ANNOUNCEMENT - Friday, January 10, 2014
Topic: Overview of the new energy regulator for Alberta, the AER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ About the Presentation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As we all know, Energy Resources Conservation Board has changed to the new name, Alberta Energy Regulator. The presentation will give an overview of the new AER.
Presenters: Kirk Bailey, Executive Vice President, Operations Division Kirk Bailey joined the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) Executive Leadership Team in 2013 as the executive vice president of operations. Before joining the AER, he was president of Kushog Consulting and senior independent advisor for Deloitte and Brion Energy. Kirk is a former member of Suncor Energy's executive team, where he held a variety of senior executive leadership positions in refining and upstream resource development. He led the creation of Suncor's Oil Sands Ventures business unit responsible for Suncor's interest in $20 billion of oil sands joint venture projects. Kirk is also a former board member of Syncrude Canada..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New for the Luncheons This Year ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To speed up registration this year, we asked that attendees sign up online, in advance. Advance registration is quick and easy.
1. Click the following link: http://cpans.org/events/ 2. Choose this luncheon from the list. 3. The payment selection is available at the bottom of webpage and click “Add to Cart” to open the webpage of payment.
Payments will be processed with a credit card through PayPal and receipts are printable right away. Note, only cash or cheque will be accepted at the door this season. No credit cards will be accepted at the door.
The luncheon is scheduled for Friday, January 10, 2014. The luncheon will be a short reception followed by a buffet lunch. I am accepting reservations from now until noon, January 8, 2014 at 12 noon. Please note that we reserve the right to invoice you if you registered, but did not cancel your registration prior to this date.
Location: The University of Alberta Faculty Club (11435, Saskatchewan Drive), Papaschase Room (upstairs, right) Date: Friday, January 10, 2014
Time: 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. (registration starts at 11:30) Cost: $30 - A&WMA Members / $40 - Non-Members / $15 – Students (includes hot lunch & coffee). All prices include GST.
ALBERTA SOILS NETWORK – HAPPY NEW YEAR SOCIAL NETWORKING EVENT The Alberta Soils Network invites you to the Happy New Year Social Networking Event. This networking opportunity provides you with a chance to socialize with your colleagues and meet new people working in various areas of soil science. Join us on January 8th, 2014 at The Billiard Club on Whyte Avenue, 10505-82 Avenue, Edmonton between 4:00 – 8:00 pm.
Tickets are $10 each, which includes two drink tickets and appetizers. Appetizers will be served at 5:00 pm and a draw for door prizes will be at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Do not forget your business card to enter the draw for prizes.
Registration is required to ensure sufficient appetizers are available, please register online http://www.albertaagrologists.ca/default.aspx?page=31. Registration closes at 4:00 pm on January 3, 2014. Should you have questions regarding the event, please contact Alana Clark at 780-792-7469.
Event Schedule: Doors open 4:00 pm Appetizers Served 5:00 pm Prize Draws 5: 30 pm and 7:00 pm Date: January 8, 2014 Time: 4:00 – 8:00 pm Location: The Billiard Club. 10505-82 Avenue, Edmonton
THE ROLE OF SOILS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE TITLE SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
The 2014 Alberta Soil Science Workshop will be held February 12 - 14, 2014 at the Executive Royal Hotel - North, Calgary, AB
Wine and Cheese Social, Evening of February 12, 2014
Call for titles and abstracts: to volunteer an oral or poster presentation, please submit a title and abstract by January 15, 2014 at http://www.soilsworkshop.ab.ca/form.html
To Register for the workshop, please visit http://www.soilsworkshop.ab.ca/registration.html Book accommodations at the Executive Royal Hotel by calling 403-219-7482
There will also be technical sessions in Soil Fertility, Land Reclamation, Land Use, Riparian and Wetland Soils and Pedogenesis and Soil Inventory.
Stay tuned for more information about plenary speakers and program.
For more information contact:
• Newton Lupwayi, Past Chair • Jay Woosaree, Chair • Derek MacKenzie, Treasurer • Amanda Schoonmaker, Secretary • Len Kryzanowski, Soil Fertility Technical Session • Bin Xu, Wetland Soils and Riparian Areas Technical Session • Rob Dunn and Karen Raven, Land Use Technical Session • Deo Heeraman, Land Reclamation Technical Session • Konstantin Dlusskiy, Pedogenesis and Soil Inventory Technical Session
CLIMATE CHANGE AND EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT (CCEMC) CORPORATION AND THE CITY OF EDMONTON HOST INTERNATIONAL LEADERS AND INNOVATORS AT LOW CARBON CONFERENCE EDMONTON – The Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation and the City of Edmonton are hosting international leaders and innovators April 15-17 at ZERO2014: A conference for a low carbon future.
ZERO 2014 at the Shaw Conference Centre will bring together leaders from science, policy, clean technology, industry and government to address the shared goal of lowering our carbon impact.
The conference will provide innovators access to a system of support that includes business leaders, potential partners, government agencies and representatives from the financial community.
“Edmonton is proud to co-host this important conference which focuses on one of the greatest challenges facing the world today,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “It will be an exciting opportunity to further explore a range of options to transform Edmonton into a more vibrant and sustainable city.”
The CCEMC is a not-for-profit corporation that operates independently of government. The CCEMC focuses on stimulating transformative change by funding projects that reduce greenhouse emissions and help Alberta adapt to climate change. The conference will feature the 20 winners of the first round of the CCEMC’s $35 million international Grand Challenge that seeks to uncover innovative uses for carbon.
“The response to the first round of our Grand Challenge was exceptional,” said CCEMC Chair, Eric Newell. “We eagerly anticipate introducing the top 20 projects from the first round of our international competition to a diverse and supportive innovation community.” World-leading experts will update the conference attendees on the state of climate and energy challenges facing us today. Delegates will learn new strategies for addressing these challenges including best practices from organizations and communities around the world.
For more information about the conference and to register, please visit www.zero2014.com.
Call for Abstracts!! 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Remediation 2014, Ferrara, Italy, September 17-19, 2014. This conference will focus on five topics concerning sustainable remediation: conceptual framing; tools, metrics and indicators; greening remediation, eco-efficient technologies and opportunities from synergy; case studies; and stakeholder involvement and participative approaches. Abstracts for presentations and posters may be submitted electronically at http://www.sustrem2014.com/mail.php through April 25, 2014. For more information, visit http://www.sustrem2014.com/ .
Industry Positions Openings
For more information visit ESAA’s Job Board under the news section of www.esaa.orgHTU UTH
Air Emissions Lead
MAKE YOUR MARK WHILE YOU GROW YOUR CAREER At Canadian Natural we believe our employees are the key to unlocking asset potential. As one of the largest independent crude oil and natural gas producers in the world, our balanced asset mix creates opportunity for people who want to be part of a challenging and competitive industry. Join our team as we create value through innovation.
COMPETITIVE SALARY - STOCK OPTIONS - STOCK SAVINGS PLAN - ANNUAL BONUSES – BENEFITS! Visit www.cnrl-careers.com/candidateinfo to learn more about our Total Rewards Package and much more!
YOUR OPPORTUNITY: Apply your technical expertise to Canadian Natural’s North American diverse air emission projects. You will be responsible for Canadian Natural’s air emission reporting and air issues management for our exploration and production operations, and for supporting emission reporting at the Horizon oil sands mine and upgrader. Responsibilities also including tracking emerging air issues and working with other internal groups to develop strategies for managing these. This position coordinates corporate reporting on all operations including oil sands, conventional and international.
• Leading the air emissions team to manage emission reporting, to meet regulatory requirements, and to meet needs of internal and external stakeholders • Participating in industry and government committees relating to greenhouse gases (GHG), air emissions, and ambient air monitoring • Managing the air-related components of regulatory applications and authorizations, for both new applications and renewals
LEADERSHIP: Boost your career at a supervisory level by applying your technical expertise, problem solving, and leadership skills to: • Produce summaries of business implications from technical issues • Provide technical advice to team members, actively participate in their career development, and appropriately manage team workload
HOW WILL YOU MAKE YOUR MARK? • Providing technical support for stakeholder consultations on air-related matters • Ensuring data systems and procedures support a high quality of air emission data • Coordinating with other departments and field operations in developing and implementing procedures to measure, monitor and report emissions • Ensuring that environmental regulatory compliance regarding air emissions issues are met, including tracking recent policy changes or research • Providing support to Environmental Management Systems and finding areas for improvement
QUALIFICATIONS: • Typically 10+ years of air emissions experience in resource operations with an engineering or science technical diploma or degree • Familiarity with and understanding of: o Air emissions issues and inventories o Reporting to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation (SGER) o Emission reporting systems
HEALTH AND SAFETY: At Canadian Natural, safety is a core value. We conduct all of our operations in a way that identifies, minimizes and mitigates harm to the health and safety of employees, contractors, the public and the environment.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
To apply online and see related Environmental/Regulatory roles at CNRL, visit: www.cnrl- careers.com/jobs/Environmental-Regulatory
Canadian Natural Resources Limited - CNRL - is a publicly traded company on the TSX and NYSE as CNQ.
Manager – Environmental Due Diligence
Key Responsibilities
• Manage the day-to-day operations for GENIVAR’s Due Diligence group based out of the Calgary office • Coordinate and review Phase I ESAs, compliance audits, and liability assessments for oil and gas facilities, industrial and commercial properties across western Canada • Coordinate and review environmental due diligence assessments for property acquisitions and divestitures • Provide technical and logistical support to field personnel for field-based projects
• Liaison with clients, regulatory agencies, other GENIVAR business units and stakeholders regarding projects and environmental issues • Manage the performance and professional development of technical staff • Attract and retain key talent by actively recruiting, coaching, and mentoring staff • Create succession and development plans for key staff • Lead the development of new business opportunities in this region • Implement corporate and client safety programs
Qualifications
• University degree in environmental science, engineering or related discipline • 10 years of relevant upstream oil and gas environmental consulting experience • Member in good standing with an applicable professional association • Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA) designation is considered a strong asset • Proven success in client relationship management • Strong leadership and motivational skills with the ability to develop positive working relationships in a team environment • Highly developed mentoring capabilities for technical staff • Understanding of provincial and federal regulations, acts, and guidelines • Ability to deal with changing situations, tight deadlines and conflicting demands and priorities • Excellent written, technical reporting and communication skills • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and database entry • Valid and fully licensed driver in Alberta • The desire to succeed in a dynamic and progressive global organization
To apply for this position please refer to the GENIVAR Website at http://careers.genivar.com/, job posting 27-0533.
GENIVAR is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.
Manager – Environment
Key Responsibilities
• Manage the day-to-day operations for GENIVAR’s environment group in the Calgary region • Lead GENIVAR Alberta’s oil and gas sector for environmental services including the identification and acquisition of work, and coordination and oversight of client activity • Provide thought leadership in environmental services required by the sector • Work closely with the Discipline Leads and Management Team • Provide technical and logistical support to field personnel for field-based projects • Review environmental site assessment, remediation & reclamation work plans, project cost estimates and technical reports • Liaison with clients, regulatory agencies, other GENIVAR business units and stakeholders regarding work plans, projects and environmental issues • Manage the overall performance and professional development of staff • Attract and retain key talent by creating an effective work environment and actively recruiting, coaching, and mentoring staff • Create succession and development plans for key staff • Implement corporate and client safety programs • Understand, live and nurture our values.
Qualifications
• Strong leadership and motivational skills with the ability to develop positive working relationships in a team environment
• University degree in environmental science, engineering or related discipline • 15 years of relevant upstream oil and gas environmental consulting experience • Member in good standing with an applicable professional association • Proven success in client relationship management at all levels of the client organization • Proven success in people development and growth • Thorough understanding of Alberta remediation and reclamation guidelines • Excellent written, technical reporting and communication skills • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and the use of online system • Valid and fully licensed driver in Alberta • The desire to succeed in a dynamic and progressive global organization
To apply for this position please refer to the GENIVAR website at http://careers.genivar.com/, job posting 27-0550.
GENIVAR is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.
Intermediate/Senior Environmental Scientist/Engineer Regina, SK
SLR is an environmental consultancy that specializes in the energy, mining & minerals, waste management, planning & development, infrastructure and industrial sectors. SLR is one of a very small number of truly international specialist environmental consultancies.
As an employee controlled company, in which many of our staff have a share, SLR offers rewarding careers to all of its staff and values and rewards customer care and commitment as well as technical expertise. SLR provides a healthy and dynamic work environment, challenging career opportunities and competitive compensation and benefit packages.
For more information, please visit http://www.slrconsulting.com.
ROLE:
SLR has an immediate requirement for a highly motivated individual with excellent technical, client service and people skills to join our operations in Regina, SK.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide leadership including mentorship of team members • Management of complex contaminated sites projects, including preparation and review of technical reports • Liaison with clients, subcontractors and regulatory agencies • Development of budgets and financial acumen ensuring that projects are delivered on time and on budget
TECHNICAL SKILLS / ABILITIES / EXPERIENCE:
• The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years experience in contaminated sites and remediation work and possess strong project management, written, leadership, organizational, technical and communication skills • Experience with high levels of client service and working with a team • Superior communication, interpersonal and writing skills • Additional experience in hydrogeology, reclamation or ecology is an asset
EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS:
• Technical Diploma, Undergraduate and/or Graduate Degree in related field of expertise
• Professional registration with APEGS, P.Eng, P.Ag or P.Geo
To apply for this position, please submit your resume (with job title and office location in the subject line) to Human Resources at [email protected].
We thank all those who apply, however, only selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.
SLR Consulting is an equal opportunities employer. For details of our equal opportunities policy please contact a member of our HR team on the above email address.
DATE POSTED: November 28, 2013
Environmental Specialist NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals, plastic resins and end-products that make everyday life safer, healthier and easier. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
At our Joffre site, near Red Deer, Alberta, we are seeking an individual for our Environmental and Regulatory Team who is responsible for the development and implementation of a variety of environmental management programs and plans to assist Manufacturing West facilities and customers in ongoing environmental performance improvement. You will be responsible for the site ambient air and noise monitoring programs and the supporting the Cogen operating unit with meeting Responsible Care requirements through the collection, management and evaluation of environmental monitoring data and the compilation of summary reports.
The key areas of responsibility include but are not limited to: • Ambient air and noise program management including coordination of monitoring, data collection, evaluation and reporting, improvement projects, and contractor management. • Provide day to day support to cross functional teams regarding environmental requirements and initiatives to ensure regulatory compliance. Teams can include operations, maintenance, technical, community and/or regulatory agencies. • Provide coaching, training and guidance to help others understand environmental strategies and programs in place to manage environmental risk and liability. • Applies and helps others apply relevant Responsible Care standards, policies and procedures. • Participates in technical interactions with community or joint venture partners to drive performance improvement. • Complete both internal and regulatory compliance reporting on time and to an acceptable standard.
Qualifications • Bachelor of Science degree with a preference for Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or a related diploma. • 10 years of direct experience in an applicable or related industrial or manufacturing environment. • A preference for experience in environmental management/monitoring, including air quality (ambient air, fugitive emissions, greenhouse gases, continuous emissions monitoring systems and source emissions testing) and environmental noise would be considered an asset. • Demonstrated analytical and troubleshooting skills. • Ability to interpret and apply technical documentation and general knowledge of environmental monitoring principles. • Self-motivated focused on results, with the ability to work independently as well as collaborate with the team. • Comfortable interacting with internal and external contacts and the ability to take initiative in building relationships. • Excellent communications and organizational skills. • Ability to adapt to new situations and challenges and embrace change and new ideas For more information or to apply, visit: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH08/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=NOVACHEM&cws=1&rid=1009
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST – RECLAMATION & REMEDIATION Chevron Canada Limited (upstream) is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Canada. Since our arrival in Alberta in 1938, our company has established a proud legacy of exploration success, innovation and growth. And throughout this time, we have continued to support the communities where we live and work. After 75 years of operations in Canada, we are looking forward to the future with optimism, as we pursue our vision to profitably grow our core assets and position Chevron for future legacy assets in frontier regions and emerging unconventional resource plays.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and managing the reclamation and remediation of Chevron’s Canada Business Unit’s (“CBU”) legacy sites. You will also be responsible for managing and coordinating all HES requirements in accordance with Chevron's Property Transfer Standard, including the preparation of HES due diligence assessments, and HES data room materials for potential in-scope property transactions. You will act as CBU's primary HES resource in supporting the implementation of the Chevron’s Asset Retirement Strategic Framework. You will also be responsible for supporting CBU's Asset Retirement Obligations process, which encompasses the assessment and quantification of CBU's legacy site end-of-life costs. Finally, you will be expected to provide general environmental technical support, as required, to CBU’s project teams and various other functional groups.
Chevron is accepting online applications for the position of Environmental Specialist – Reclamation & Remediation located in Calgary, AB through January 17, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
Job Responsibilities: • Act as CBU’s HES subject matter expert in the area of reclamation and remediation and provide technical expertise where needed in CBU operations. • Manage all aspects of reclamation and remediation of CBU's legacy sites. • CBU's primary HES resource in supporting the implementation of the Asset Retirement Strategic Framework. • Coordinate all HES requirements in accordance with Chevron's Property Transfer Standard, including the preparation of HES due diligence assessments and data room materials for potential in-scope property transactions. • Support CBU's Asset Retirement Obligations, including the assessment and quantification of CBU's legacy site end-of-life costs. • Ensure alignment of CBU’s Reclamation and Remediation efforts with Chevron Global practices. • Provide environmental technical support, as required, to the project teams and functional service groups supporting field operations.
Qualifications: • Minimum Bachelors degree in Science, Engineering or Environmental Management. • Minimum 10 years experience in managing reclamation and remediation activities and projects in upstream operations. Preference for previous upstream oil and gas company experience. • Previous experience managing environmental consultants and contractors, and in implementing and executing contractor safety programs. • Knowledge of and experience with the Alberta environmental and regulatory framework is desired. • Experience with the implementation and execution of a corporate Asset Retirement Strategic Framework. • Must have sound, proven environmental project management skills and experience. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a global, multi-disciplinary team with superior problem solving skills. • Excellent verbal and written communications skills. • Ability to meet multiple deadlines. • Must have direct experience coordinating and completing HES property transfer assessments, and in assessing and quantifying HES liabilities and end-of-life obligations for upstream oil and gas operations. • Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Relocation Options: Relocation will not be considered within Chevron parameters.
How to Apply: Go to www.chevron.ca/careers
Intermediate Environmental Engineer or Scientist Victoria, BC
McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. seeks an Intermediate Environmental Engineer or Scientist to join our quickly growing corporate environmental team, with this position located in our Victoria office.
JOB DUTIES: • Provide project management and design for contaminated site assessment and remediation projects from proposal stage through completion • Conduct environmental studies from proposal preparation through data collection, interpretation, approvals, and reporting • Capitalize on project opportunities and develop new business • Liaise and develop strategic relationships with key clients, agency representatives and partners • Prepare and submit superior proposals and technical reports • Support environmental team planning and marketing initiatives
JOB REQUIREMENTS: • Degree in engineering or sciences from an accredited institution • Professional registration in good standing in British Columbia, or eligibility to be registered • Ability to work independently and with integrated consulting teams • Sound business development and client liaison skills and a keen entrepreneurial spirit, with excellent written and verbal communication skills • High productivity, attention to detail, and an ability to work well in a team environment are essential • Valid BC driver’s license, willingness to travel for project work
DESIRED EXPERIENCE BASE: • 5- 10 years’ relevant work experience, or a relevant combination of education and experience • Experience with BC contaminated site regulations, Alberta / Saskatchewan experience would also be assets • Experience liaising with government agencies and with licensing and approvals • Previous consulting experience
This position is designated as safety sensitive.
To be considered for this opportunity, submit your resume and cover letter online at www.mcelhanney.com/careers. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. is a Canadian company offering outstanding engineering, mapping, surveying, planning and environmental services to its clients. At McElhanney, you are working within a strong team that is well established in the local industry. Our employees love working here because of our varied projects, high levels of autonomy, opportunities for career development, and the opportunity to travel to exciting projects in Western Canada. Established in 1910, McElhanney is a stable and secure employee-owned company. McElhanney offers an excellent total compensation and benefits package, as well as a great team of professionals to work with and continuous opportunity for development.