EDMONTON – Opposition politicians say a damning report into a major pipeline leak in a central Alberta river indicates the province’s monitoring system is failing.
New Democrat Rachel Notley says the report into the 2012 Plains Midstream spill into the Red Deer River shows the company knew about problems with the pipeline for four years before it finally cracked.
The Alberta Energy Regulator report says a consultant flagged that section of pipe as a high risk in 2008.
Notley says that fact Plains Midstream was able to keep the pipeline active without repairing it is evidence the government needs to stop relying on industry for safety monitoring.
She suggests Plains Midstream should face heavy fines and criminal charges.
The pipeline released nearly a half-million litres of oil into the river.
Hundreds of Albertans were affected, as were businesses that rely on the river.
The river’s fishery, considered one of Alberta’s best, remains closed.