AER Issues Environmental Protection Order to Syncrude

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Aug. 11, 2015) - The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has issued an environmental protection order to Syncrude Canada Ltd. in response to approximately 30 blue heron fatalities at the Mildred Lake oil sands mine site north of Fort McMurray.

The order directs the company to:

• collect water and soil samples from the site for analysis.
  
  
• develop a wildlife mitigation plan and detailed delineation and remediation plan.
  
  
• develop daily public reports and publish them to the Syncrude Canada website.
  
  
• submit a final report to the AER within 30 days of the completion of all work required in compliance with the rrder.
  
  

The AER notes that some of the required work has already begun. Environmental protection orders are not enforcement; they are remedial orders, directing the company to provide a plan to ensure that the natural environment is remediated.

An AER investigation is also underway. Once the investigation is complete, the AER will publish its findings.

The AER publishes information on its Compliance Dashboard. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

The Alberta Energy Regulator ensures the safe, efficient, orderly, and environmentally responsible development of hydrocarbon resources over their entire life cycle. This includes allocating and conserving water resources, managing public lands, and protecting the environment while providing economic benefits for all Albertans.

FOR BROADCAST USE

In response to waterfowl deaths north of Fort McMurray, the Alberta Energy Regulator has issued an environmental protection order to Syncrude Canada, requiring the company to develop and submit plans for wildlife protection, remediation and public notification.