The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) wants an independent investigation and public inquiry into July’s Husky Energy oil spill.
The investigation is the last of 13 recommendations focused on the construction, inspection and monitoring of Saskatchewan’s oil pipelines. The group also looks at how the province responds to oil spills.
FULL COVERAGE: North Saskatchewan River Husky oil spill
The society is hoping to see financial penalties for Husky.
“We’re not trying to specify what the amount of the fine should be, but we think it should be more than just a slap on the wrist,” SES board member Peter Prebble said.
A report submitted by Husky to the provincial government identified shifting ground as the cause of a pipeline break that leaked 225,000 litres of blended crude oil into the North Saskatchewan River.
READ MORE: Husky report finds ground movement caused spill in North Saskatchewan
“Based on the findings of our investigation, submitted to regulators last month, we are moving forward with a number of immediate actions to enhance our systems and operations while regulators complete their review,” Husky spokesperson Mel Duvall said in an email.
The government’s focus right now is the completion of its separate investigation, officials told Global News via email Monday.
“We will be considering the SES recommendations, as well as other ideas that might come forward in the coming months, as we complete the investigation and continue our ongoing work on regulatory enhancements,” a statement from the Ministry of the Economy reads.
The provincial government has proposed changes to the Pipelines Act, which include:
- Phased-in licensing for the more than 80,000 flowlines in the province;
- Establishing new inspection, investigation and compliance powers for ministry staff;
- Updating penalty provisions; and
- Providing additional financial requirements for pipelines that are in high-risk locations like water crossings.
The results of the provincial investigation are expected to be released in early 2017.
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