BP Canada fined $800K
Fine tied to March 27 vapour release
Last Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 7:53 AM ET
CBC News
Related
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
BP Canada Energy Co. has been fined $800,000 and charged about $200,000 more for victims' costs, after pleading guilty Wednesday to charges under Ontario's Environmental Protection Act.
Environment ministry spokesperson Kate Jordan says it's the single largest fine that's been issued under Section 14 of that legislation.
The charges stem from a natural gas vapour release in Sarnia, Ont., on March 27. Early that day, nearly 100 Sarnia residents complained to police about a strong rotten-egg type odour that caused nausea, and eye and mouth irritation.
Ministry investigators, along with city police and government forensic computer experts conducted a raid at the company's Sarnia offices in August.
Jordan says evidence collected in the search was key to moving the investigation along.
BP's fractionation plant in Sarnia produces natural gas liquids.
In a 2002 environmental statement, Richard Hookway, the company's natural gas liquids business unit leader, said BP's goals "are simply stated — no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment."
Share Tools
Latest Windsor News Headlines
- Underwear bomber sentenced to life in prison
- A Nigerian man who tried to blow up an international flight near Detroit on behalf of al-Qaida has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. more »
- GM posts record $7.6B profit in 2011
- General Motors earned the highest profit in its history last year, earning $7.6 billion US in 2011, despite heavy losses in its European division. more »
- Enbridge discovers small pipeline leak in U.S.
- Two Enbridge Inc. pipelines were off-line Thursday after the major crude shipper said it discovered a small leak in Michigan. more »
- Manufacturing sales rise in December
- Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 0.6 per cent to $49.9 billion in December, the fifth increase in six months. more »
Top News Headlines
- Former Expos catcher Gary Carter succumbs to brain cancer
- Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who left an indelible mark on baseball in Canada during his 12 years with the Montreal Expos, died on Thursday. The man nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" for his ever-smiling face and cheerfulness is free from the inoperable brain cancer that sapped his energy and took his life at age 57. more »
- UN backs resolution condemning Syrian regime
- The UN General Assembly has backed a non-binding Arab League-sponsored resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down and end his regime's violent crackdown on dissidents. more »
- 7 MPs and their fiery quotes
- The election of a majority government was seen by some as a chance for less acrimonious politics on Parliament Hill. But the past week has seen its fair share of inflammatory rhetoric on both sides of the House. more »
- Dog kills newborn in Alberta community
- Officials in Airdrie are revealing few details about the fatal mauling of an infant by a family dog in the southern Alberta city. more »
- Underwear bomber sentenced to life in prison
- Dandelion tea touted as possible cancer killer
- Town pressed to overlook Electro-Motive tender
- Enbridge discovers small pipeline leak in U.S.
- Horse racing industry says cuts a risky gamble
- Joint cop investigation yields $40K in cocaine
- Great grey owl draws birders to southern Ontario
- GM posts record $7.6B profit in 2011
- Ontario government to sell LCBO headquarters
