Major changes proposed for shale gas fracking
Advisors to US Energy Secretary, Stephen Chu, have recommended major changes to improve regulation and environmental performance of shale gas fracturing (fracking) in the US. Public consultation is continuing, and the final report will be released in November. Canadian regulators should be …
View the post titled Major changes proposed for shale gas frackingToronto fined $150,000 for sewage spill
The City of Toronto pled guilty to one violation under the Ontario Water Resources Act foroperating its sewage works in not accordance with its Certificate of Approval. It was fined $150,000 plus the victim fine surcharge.
View the post titled Toronto fined $150,000 for sewage spillWhat was she thinking?
In R. v. Matchim, a recent case before the Ontario Court of Justice (March 18 2011), firefighters extinguished a blaze in the basement of a home on Vincent Street, in Newmarket. An explosion then occurred in the main sanitary sewer line on the street.
View the post titled What was she thinking?$80,000 water discharge fine
Torbear Contracting Inc., Woodbridge, had a contract to complete upgrades at a sewage treatment plant. The project required that the outdoor containment area surrounding the chemical storage tanks of sodium hypochlorite be expanded and a drain be installed to allow for easy removal of rainw…
View the post titled $80,000 water discharge fineDo Pollution Exclusion clauses work?
Will pollution exclusion clauses stand up in commercial general liability insurance policies? The Ontario Court of Appeal says yes, when they are directed at activities likely to cause traditional soil and water pollution. See ING Insurance Company of Canada v. Miracle (Mohawk Imperial Sales…
View the post titled Do Pollution Exclusion clauses work?Pharmaceuticals, drinking water, and liability
The better our detection ability becomes, the more things we find in the water. One important group of those things is pharmaceuticals and their metabolites. Pharmaceuticals are specifically designed to affect the bodies, brains and behaviour of humans and other animals, at comparatively low…
View the post titled Pharmaceuticals, drinking water, and liabilitySuncor stormwater conviction
According to Alberta Environment, the Provincial Court of Alberta in Fort McMurray has fined Suncor Energy Inc. $275,000 for contravening its water approval at the Voyager Upgrader site 20 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
View the post titled Suncor stormwater convictionKeeping septic systems working
Septic systems don’t run by themselves. They need regular inspections, cleaning and maintenance, or they break down and leak raw sewage. It is therefore somewhat amazing that only last summer was the Building Code (O. Reg 350/06) amended (by O. Reg. 315/10) to require such regular inspection…
View the post titled Keeping septic systems workingAgent Orange: we knew, but did it anyway
As calls flood in to the Agent Orange hotline by people worried about their health, I came across a 1970-Press release by MPP Dr. Morton Shulman. Dr. Shulman, one of Canada’s early environmental campaigners, lambasted the provincial government for continuing to spray 2,4,5T up and down…
View the post titled Agent Orange: we knew, but did it anywayWater Opportunities and Water Conservation Act passed
Bill 72 received Royal Assent this week. The new Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act is designed to: Promote better water technologies and practices; Create clean technology jobs Encourage conservation of Ontario water resources But not to promote privatization of water utilities.…
View the post titled Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act passedReceive Blog Posts
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