1 An Information Service for Alberta’s Environment Industry The Week Ending January 15 th , 2016 Inside this Issue: Online Report Highlights Environmental Monitoring in Alberta’s Oil Sands Region Fox Creek Fracking Operation Closed after Earthquake Paper Companies Fined Ongoing Methane Leak in California Q&A: A Look at the Drinking Water Crisis in Flint and much more …. The ESAA Weekly News is published weekly by: Environmental Services Association of Alberta 102, 2528 Ellwood Drive SW Edmonton, AB T6X 0A9 (P) 780.429.6363 (F) 780.429.4249 [email protected]www.esaa.orgComments & submissions are welcome! Please submit your announcement via e-mail to: [email protected]...environmental integrity through innovative business solutions ESAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS - CALL FOR NOMINEES The ESAA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the initial slate of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election to be held at the ESAA AGM on March 15, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta at the Calgary Zoo. There will be three (3) positions open for the ESAA Board of Directors, each for a three (3) year term. If you would like to be included on the list of candidates for the ESAA Board of Directors and are a representative of a full ESAA Member, please submit 6 letters of support by no later than February 3rd, 2016, to the ESAA Office via fax: 780.429.4249 or e-mail: [email protected]. Proposed List of Candidates Peter Olmsted (I), Matrix Solutions Lisa White (I), Clifton Associates (I) Incumbent 2016 AGM Documents including the AGM Notice, the AGM Agenda, 2015 AGM Minutes, and AGM Proxy information can be found online at: http://www.esaa.org/2016- esaa-agm/ The AGM will feature the following presentation: Come Hell and High Water: Scientific Truth & Consequences in Hollywood Disaster Movies Bob Sandford, EPCOR Chair for Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health Registration is free for the event and will include refreshments and hot hors d’oeuvres. Registration Link: http://www.esaa.org/events/#id=169&wid=401&cid=153 ANNUAL SURVEY OF ESAA EVENTS AND SERVICES - Deadline January 29th, 2016 In an effort to provide high-quality events and services to the members of ESAA, the environment industry, and other industries, ESAA would appreciate if you would complete the following short survey. The results of the survey will be used to evaluate current ESAA programs, services, and identify future programs. All individual surveys submitted will be kept confidential. Only summary information will be made public. All questions are optional. Complete the survey by January 29th, 2016 and be entered into a draw to win one of three $100 Gift Cards - Winners choice. Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C7KHMBQ Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey!
Transcript
1
An Information Service for Alberta’s Environment Industry The Week Ending January 15th, 2016
U
Inside this Issue:
Online Report Highlights Environmental Monitoring in Alberta’s Oil Sands Region
Fox Creek Fracking Operation Closed after Earthquake
Paper Companies Fined
Ongoing Methane Leak in California
Q&A: A Look at the Drinking Water Crisis in Flint
and much more ….
U
The ESAA Weekly News is published
weekly by:
Environmental Services Association of Alberta
102, 2528 Ellwood Drive SW
Edmonton, AB T6X 0A9 (P) 780.429.6363 (F) 780.429.4249
ESAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS - CALL FOR NOMINEES The ESAA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the initial slate of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election to be held at the ESAA AGM on March 15, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta at the Calgary Zoo. There will be three (3) positions open for the ESAA Board of Directors, each for a three (3) year term. If you would like to be included on the list of candidates for the ESAA Board of Directors and are a representative of a full ESAA Member, please submit 6 letters of support by no later than February 3rd, 2016, to the ESAA Office via fax: 780.429.4249 or e-mail: [email protected].
Proposed List of Candidates
Peter Olmsted (I), Matrix Solutions
Lisa White (I), Clifton Associates (I) Incumbent 2016 AGM Documents including the AGM Notice, the AGM Agenda, 2015 AGM Minutes, and AGM Proxy information can be found online at: http://www.esaa.org/2016-esaa-agm/ The AGM will feature the following presentation:
Come Hell and High Water: Scientific Truth & Consequences in Hollywood Disaster Movies
Bob Sandford, EPCOR Chair for Water and Climate Security at the United Nations
University Institute for Water, Environment and Health Registration is free for the event and will include refreshments and hot hors d’oeuvres. Registration Link: http://www.esaa.org/events/#id=169&wid=401&cid=153
ANNUAL SURVEY OF ESAA EVENTS AND SERVICES - Deadline January 29th, 2016
In an effort to provide high-quality events and services to the members of ESAA, the environment industry, and other industries, ESAA would appreciate if you would complete the following short survey. The results of the survey will be used to evaluate current ESAA programs, services, and identify future programs. All individual surveys submitted will be kept confidential. Only summary information will be made public. All questions are optional. Complete the survey by January 29th, 2016 and be entered into a draw to win one of three $100 Gift Cards - Winners choice. Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C7KHMBQ Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey!
WaterTech returns to the Fairmont Banff Spring and features a closing keynote by Rick Mercer. In light of the current economic situation facing the environment industry and our clients, ESAA is pleased to announce that WaterTech 2016 registration fees have been significantly reduced! This decision was based on the feedback received from our members on the importance of our networking and educational events. ESAA prides itself on being able to bring these high-quality opportunities to you, even in uncertain financial times. New rates are as follows:
Member Early Registration Rate - $550
Non-Member Early Registration Rate - $675 The above rates will be in effect until February 19th. After February 19th, the rates will increase to the following:
Member Registration Rate - $675
Non-Member Registration Rate - $795
You can register via the WaterTech website at: www.esaa.org/watertech/ Note: If you have already registered at the previous early registration rate, you will receive a refund for the difference within two weeks. In addition, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available and discounts are available until January 29th. Full details can be found online at: www.esaa.org/watertech/ Keynote Speakers: WaterTech 2016 will feature the following keynote speakers:
Opening Keynote: Dr. Zafar Adeel, Director, United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health
Thursday Lunch Keynote: Mac Stone, Everglades Photographer
Friday Lunch Keynote: Rick Mercer, Host of The Mercer Report on CBC
Thank you for your continued support of ESAA events.
The Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA) will be hosting one day forums in Edmonton and Calgary focused on the changing regulatory landscape in Alberta. Presentations from Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Agency, Alberta Transportation, Environmental Appeals Board and the Public Lands Appeal Board.
Registration Fee: $149 Members and $179 Non-Members (registration fees include: continental breakfast, hot lunch, coffee breaks, free parking.) Space is limited to 200 attendees per location.
MARKET SURVEY ON USE OF PGPR IN ALBERTA Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) has launched a research program to investigate the use and commercialization potential of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve and accelerate reclamation and remediation on degraded and/or impacted soils throughout the province. The vision for this program is to return more land to former and/or productive uses through phytoremediation and enhanced reclamation. Through this research program, AITF intends to develop a commercially available PGPR product that shortens the timeline for reclamation and improves remediation, in terms of reducing costs and liability for the user. AITF would like to invite you to participate in a short 10-15 minute survey to help assess the potential use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Alberta.
Your anonymous answers and feedback will help direct the current research program, in terms of developing practical performance objectives. Information will also be used to help AITF develop target parameters for the development of a commercialized product. Your participation will provide essential information regarding the market need for the technology.
To take the survey, please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AITFPGPR Further background on the survey is provided. Please note that the deadline for responses is February 19, 2016.
ONLINE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN ALBERTA’S OIL SANDS REGION Working together with monitoring organizations and communities in Alberta’s oil sands region, the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency (AEMERA) has launched an electronic community report featuring information and findings related to environmental monitoring programs in the oil sands.
“Working with communities, industry, scientists and monitoring organizations in the oil sands region, we are transforming and improving environmental monitoring and scientific evaluation, and are providing information about our work in a timely, transparent and understandable way,” said Jay Nagendran, President and CEO of AEMERA.
Monitoring organizations and communities in the oil sands region include the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA), Lakeland Industry and Community Association (LICA), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Peace River Area Monitoring Program (PRAMP).
To better integrate monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities, the online report features articles, stories, data and results contributed by all partners conducting monitoring work in the region.
For users looking to find more in-depth information, or greater detailed data, the report provides links to relevant reports, monitoring organization websites and data repositories.
Visitors to the online report are encouraged to participate in a short survey designed to gather information about awareness and interest in environmental monitoring and issues in the oil sands region.
Visit aemera.org/osmreport to view the report.
WHY THE BATTLE OVER ONE SMALL OIL COMPANY'S REMAINS IS BEING CLOSELY WATCHED Should Redwater's assets pay ATB debts or be given to Alberta Energy Regulator
to clean up abandoned wells?
(Source: CBC News) Last spring, a small oil and gas company called Redwater Energy went belly up.
All in all, we're talking pretty small potatoes. Redwater was operating out of its chief executive's home on a country road outside Calgary. It owned a stake in 16 producing oil and natural gas wells, as well as nearly 70 more inactive wells. It had some mineral rights on undeveloped land and it owed its bank, ATB Financial, a little more than $5 million.
This relatively small bankruptcy case has turned into a very big deal.
Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and the provincially owned ATB are fighting over who gets priority over the remains of Redwater Energy.
Does the lender get paid back first?
Or should proceeds from any asset sales go to clean up the mess — namely those 70 non-operational wells that would otherwise be abandoned — the company leaves behind?
That question was argued at length in December, at a hearing that was presided over by Alberta's chief justice. The answer stands to set a precedent at a time when many junior oil and gas companies are struggling.
If the lenders win this case, the concern is that worthless oil and gas wells will be abandoned across the province as juniors fold. If the AER wins, there will be a chill on lending, as banks lose any certainly that the loans they make are properly secured.
Number of abandoned wells skyrockets to 700 When Redwater Energy became insolvent in May, Grant Thornton was named as the receiver. The company wanted the ability to sell its producing wells and renounce the non-operational wells, making them the responsibility of the Orphan Well Association.
The OWA is funded by industry to reclaim wells that have been abandoned by companies that simply don't have the cash or assets to pay for reclamation.
The OWA has been overwhelmed in the past year, with the number of abandoned wells under its umbrella rising from 162 to more than 700. It worked frantically over 2015 and reclaimed more than 100 wells, but expects to add hundreds more to the list this year.
The association's industry funding doubled this year to $30 million, but it argued in its court brief that funding would have to be substantially increased if it had to take on all the bad wells in the province.
Should companies pay security deposit to drill well? The AER's basic argument is that when a company is granted a license to drill, the obligation to reclaim that well is part of the package, so any remaining funds need to go towards reclamation.
The argument of Grant Thornton and ATB is that once an energy company becomes insolvent, the regulator becomes another creditor.
They argue the AER cannot shift the obligation of plugging and reclaiming the well onto the company's creditors and that bankruptcy law is fairly clear on this point.
Barry Robinson, a staff lawyer with EcoJustice in Calgary, says the clear solution is to have companies pay a security deposit before they drill a well.
"This would provide an incentive for all licensees to abandon and reclaim wells in a timely manner in order to reclaim their security deposit," he said.
Robinson says if the company goes under, the regulator can use the security deposit for reclamation.
The judge overseeing the case reserved judgement in December, saying he would come to a decision as quickly as possible and that he expected an appeal, no matter what the decision.
FOX CREEK FRACKING OPERATION CLOSED INDEFINITELY AFTER EARTHQUAKE Magnitude 4.8 quake rattles area, but no injuries or damage reported, energy regulator says
(Source: CBC News) A hydraulic fracturing operation near Fox Creek, Alta., has been shut down after an earthquake hit the area Tuesday.
The magnitude 4.8 quake was reported at 11:27 a.m., says Alberta Energy Regulator, which ordered the shutdown of the Repsol Oil & Gas site 35 kilometres north of Fox Creek.
Carrie Rosa, spokeswoman for the regulator, says "the company has ceased operations … and they will not be allowed to resume operations until we have approved their plans."
Rosa added the company is working with the energy regulator to ensure all environmental and safety rules are followed.
In a statement, Repsol confirmed the seismic event and said the company was conducting hydraulic fracturing operations at the time it happened.
"Repsol immediately shut down operations and reported the event to the AER and other local authorities," the statement said.
"The company is investigating the event, which includes reviewing and analyzing available geological and geophysical data, as well as the onsite seismic monitoring data. Operations will not resume at this location until a full assessment of the event has been completed and approval has been received from the AER."
There were no reports of injuries or damage to the site, Rosa said.
The energy regulator automatically shuts down a fracking site when an earthquake hits a magnitude of 4.0 or higher in the area in which a company is operating.
"It's too soon to tell if it's related to fracking," said Camille Brillon, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada. "It was a light earthquake that would have been felt."
Earthquake 'larger than normal' Brillon added the quake was "quite large for the area, larger than normal." It was so strong that it was felt in St. Albert, 280 km away.
Jeffrey Gu, associate professor of geophysics at the University of Alberta, said the area surrounding Fox Creek has been experiencing a proliferation of quakes lately.
He estimates in the last six months there have been hundreds of quakes in the area ranging in magnitude from 2.0 to 3.0.
But it is not considered a risky area with a such low population, said Gu, who added that Fox Creek and the surrounding region is carefully monitored by the energy regulator.
"There are faults in this area that have been mapped, have been reported in that area, but nothing of significance," he said.
"It's a relatively safe area without major, major faults."
Still, Gu said, there were two fairly large quakes in the area in January 2015, one of which had a magnitude of 4.4.
He wasn't able to confirm that they were caused by fracking, but said it is "highly probable."
The energy regulator said at the time that the 4.4 magnitude quake was likely caused by hydraulic fracturing.
The previous large quake near Fox Creek occurred on June 13, with a magnitude initially measured as 4.4. And that was the first time AER issued a stop-order on fracking under its new rules, which came into effect in February. After some investigation the magnitude was set at 3.9, Gu said.
Could be largest quake in Canada If it is revealed that fracking induced Tuesday's 4.8 quake, Gu said, it would be the largest such quake in Canada's history.
A 4.6 magnitude fracking-related earthquake in B.C. in August was confirmed by scientists as the largest so far in Canada, perhaps even the world.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said her officials are looking into Tuesday's quake.
"The AER has been engaged in a review of fracking, in particular as it relates to this issue, and I'll be asking them to speed that review … to come up with some recommendations that we can consider sooner than later."
Area resident Jesse Christensen was in Fox Creek at the time of the quake.
"We were all just kind of standing around … and everybody just looked at each other and said, 'Did you feel that?'
"It didn't feel uneasy or anything," he said. "It was just like some shaking through your feet a little bit, but not too much."
Fox Creek, 263 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, is a town of about 2,000 people largely sustained by oil and gas development.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA MOVES TO PROTECT COASTAL WATERS Federal Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo says science will determine not only which areas of Canada's oceans the government will designate for protection, but also what development, if any, will be permitted in those areas.
The minister also reaffirmed his government's commitment to meeting an ambitious target of setting aside five per cent of Canada's oceans as marine-protected areas by next year and 10 per cent by 2020. Canada agreed to the commitments outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010 In Nagoya but so far has only protected 1.3 per cent of its territorial waters.
"Once an area has been identified, OK, what needs to be protected? And what does the science say needs to be protected? That's what we're going to be basing our decisions on," Tootoo promised.
The minister has met with a number of environmental groups from the Arctic and the West Coast since being sworn in last November. He plans to travel to the East Coast soon to meet with more scientists, before finalizing a list of places that will be added to the list of protected areas.
"We're going to have to look at how we've traditionally done this over the years, of just small little pockets of areas. But we also have to look at some of things other countries have done like identifying large areas to protect as well," Tootoo said in an interview with CBC News on Friday.
"In the meetings I've had with the environmental groups, the only way we're going to be able to accomplish this is all of us working together. Basically all hands on deck," Tootoo added.
One such group, Oceans North Canada, has suggested that the Churchill and Seal rivers, both home to beluga whales, be extended the protection.
"I've travelled on the water in both of those areas when I used to live in Churchill, and it's amazing the number of belugas there in the springtime," he said. "So that is an area that you know that I have mentioned to my officials in the past as something we can look at," said Tootoo.
In the past environmental groups such as the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society have pointed out that development sometimes continued in the small percentage of areas set aside by the previous government. Tootoo
wouldn't define what, if any, development would be permitted in future marine-protected areas, but said all decisions would be based on science.
That's good news to Sabine Jessen, the national director of the Oceans Program for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. "The science is really clear that the best marine protected areas are ones that don't have fishing, don't have commercial fishing, don't have industrial uses, so that's what the science has been telling us," she said in an interview from Vancouver.
Jessen applauds the minister for trying to hit the interim target of protecting five per cent of ocean areas by 2017, but admits that it may not be possible. "All the steps that are required to obtain legal protection, I think that's going to be part of the challenge. And then there's a big commitment to consultations," Jessen said. "So I'd say he's got a big job ahead."
Jessen said there is also a growing consensus among environmental groups that some of the protected areas must be part of a connected network of sorts for species that move from one area to another.
She's met Tootoo a few times now, since he was sworn in, and describes his efforts to reach out as "very refreshing." In the past, Jessen said, the minister has always been from the East or West Coast, with an emphasis on commercial fishing. "It feels like a whole new world on the marine conservation agenda," she added.
Tootoo is the first fisheries minister from the Arctic. He said he wasn't aware of that until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called to offer him the job.
"He said, 'Because I want to remind Canadians that we have a third ocean,'" Tootoo recalled. "I think it shows that he sees the importance of the North, as part of our great country, and wants to bring a different perspective on how we look at things."
OFFICIALS AND GAS COMPANY AGREE ON PLAN TO BURN OFF SOME METHANE AFFLICTING PORTER
RANCH IN CALIFORNIA (Source: LA Times) Natural gas from a leaking well has sickened and displaced thousands of residents in the community of Porter Ranch.The Southern California Gas Co. says it could could take until the end of March to plug the leak, which was detected Oct. 23.
Air quality regulators and Southern California Gas Co. have agreed on a plan to capture and incinerate at least some natural gas from a leaking well that has sickened and displaced thousands of residents of Porter Ranch, according to a legal document filed this week.
Under the plan, the gas company would deploy pollution control equipment as early as next week to burn off both methane, the main ingredient in natural gas, and foul-smelling odorants that are added to the gas for leak detection.
The steps are being proposed to satisfy an administrative order that the South Coast Air Quality Management District is seeking to reduce emissions and odors from the company's Aliso Canyon underground storage facility in the Santa Susana Mountains. For more than two months, a damaged well there has spewed more than 1,000 tons of planet-warming methane a day into the air and sent foul odors into nearby communities.
While state and county officials say emissions from the leak do not pose a long-term health risk, the sulfur-like additives in the gas are causing headaches, nausea, nosebleeds and other ailments.
To minimize those emissions, the gas company plans to use air pollution control devices known as carbon adsorbers and thermal oxidizers to capture and burn off at least some of the gas, using an enclosed flame that is not visible, air quality officials said.
If the plan works, emissions will be reduced but by no means eliminated.
The devices “should help mitigate to some extent the foul odors and also will destroy the methane, but they're not going to be able to capture all the gas that's leaking,” air district spokesman Sam Atwood said. He called the pollution control equipment “established technology” that has been in use for decades.
However, the gas company will have to take precautions. State oil and gas regulators say the risk of ignition near the leak is so great that workers are barred from bringing cellphones to the site.
To address that concern, the gas company plans to use pipes to collect gas in a large depression around the leaking wellhead and route it to incineration equipment some distance from the leak, Atwood said.
The piping would carry the gas to “separate units that will remove the fluids from the gas and then either incinerate it or filter the odorant out of it,” said Melissa Bailey, a gas company spokeswoman. “The captured odorized natural gas will be combusted by thermal oxidizers that will safely burn the gas in an enclosed, ceramic-insulated chamber.”
The system, to be designed and installed in two phases, could incinerate as much as 20 million standard cubic feet of gas per day once it is fully operational, Bailey said.
Paula Cracium, chairwoman of the newly formed Porter Ranch Community Advisory Committee, said she was initially concerned about the proposal to capture and burn some of the gas, but was relieved to hear from company officials at a community meeting Thursday that the incineration would be contained and occur away from the leak site.
“That's a lot less disconcerting than an open flame shooting out from the top of the mountainside,” Cracium said. “Once they're able to capture that escaping gas and incinerate it, we're hoping it will greatly diminish the public health impacts on the community.”
The 11-page order, filed late Thursday, was prepared jointly and agreed to in advance by the air district and the gas company.
The order would also require the company to fund a health study on the potential effects on the community, to pay for stepped-up air monitoring at the facility and in Porter Ranch, and to continuously monitor the leak with an infrared camera.
Additionally, the gas company would have to improve its leak detection, reporting and inspection practices in order to withdraw the maximum amount of gas from the storage facility “in a contained and safe manner” as quickly as possible. The company would also provide records to air quality regulators, including odor complaints it has received and the amount of gas it has injected and withdrawn from the facility, which can hold 86 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
Activist groups, including Food & Water Watch and Save Porter Ranch, said the proposal falls short of what is needed to protect residents' health, the climate and to guard against future leaks.
Residents have lodged more than 1,600 odor complaints with the air district since the leak began Oct. 23.
The order must be approved by the air district's hearing board. The five-member panel was set to consider the proposal at a court-like proceeding at 9 a.m. Saturday at Granada Hills Charter High School, where it will hear arguments from air district attorneys and sworn testimony from the public. The gas company said its attorneys will present an opening statement at the hearing.
The air district cited the gas company on Nov. 23 for posing a public nuisance with its odors, about a month after the leak was detected by the company.
As part of the agency's investigation into the leak, air quality inspectors visited the Aliso Canyon facility Dec. 9 and 10 and used an infrared camera to check for leaks, but were unable to inspect the leaking well, called SS-25, for “health and safety reasons.”
The inspectors were able to use the camera to assess 16 of the 115 wells that the gas company operates at the site and found 15 of them to be leaking from their valves, fittings and flanges. The leaks, however, were considered “relatively minor” and below levels that would violate the agency's air quality regulations, according to the air district document. The company later repaired those leaks, the air district said.
After a series of failed attempts to repair the well, the gas company is drilling relief wells in an effort to plug the leak. The utility has said that the process could take until the end of March.
On Monday, the company confirmed that its crews were installing mesh screens to prevent an oily mist at the leaking well from drifting off the site and through the air into nearby communities.
After visiting with Porter Ranch residents this week, Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday declared a state of emergency because of the leak and ordered new regulations — including increased inspections and safety measures — for all natural gas storage facilities in California.
Q&A: A LOOK AT THE DRINKING WATER CRISIS IN FLINT, MICHIGAN
(Source: Star Tribune) DETROIT — The city of Flint, Michigan, is getting heavy state and national attention and much-needed assistance as it deals with a drinking water crisis that began after officials switched water source in 2014 while under state financial management, and the tap water became contaminated with lead.
Michigan National Guard leaders began arriving in the city Wednesday to help distribute bottled water, filters and other supplies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also approved a request by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, whose administration has come under fire for how it handled concerns about the water, to coordinate a recovery plan.
It's yet another challenge for a city of 99,000 people beset by numerous auto factory closures and thousands of job losses over the decades, and where about 40 percent of the population lives in poverty.
Some questions and answers on how Flint got here, where things stand and what's next:
WHEN AND WHY DID FLINT SWITCH ITS WATER SOURCE? Flint had long received its water from Detroit's massive system but officials complained about the rates. For years, officials in Flint and surrounding Genesee County discussed creating an independent system — along with a separate pipeline to Lake Huron. In April 2014, Flint left Detroit's system and joined the regional effort, tapping into the Flint River as its primary source until the pipeline would be completed. It was seen as an effort to save money while the city was led by an emergency manager appointed by the Republican governor. WHAT HAPPENED? Right away, residents complained about the taste, smell and appearance of the water, and reported adverse health reactions, but officials said state tests met federal safety guidelines. A General Motors plant stopped using the water, saying it was rusting its parts. Subsequent independent tests found children with elevated levels of lead in their blood and it was determined that the highly corrosive river water was drawing lead from aging pipes. State officials initially challenged or dismissed those findings, and, for more than a year, lead leached into homes. Lead exposure can cause behavior problems and learning disabilities in children, and kidney ailments and other issues in adults. WHEN DID THE STATE ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM? County health officials declared a public health emergency Oct. 1, and the next day Snyder announced $1 million for home water filters. A week later, he called for Flint to return to Detroit's water system, said water at schools would be immediately tested and pledged millions more in aid. That month, he also said a task force would review how everything had been handled and offer recommendations. WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG? Snyder said he sought answers earlier last year from state environmental officials but action was delayed when his office received inaccurate information. The state auditor general and the task force faulted the Department of Environmental Quality for not requiring Flint to treat the river water for corrosion and for belittling the public's fears. Former DEQ Director Dan Wyant resigned last month. Critics have argued Snyder should have acted sooner as the person ultimately responsible, a point he recently acknowledged and for which he apologized.
Efforts also intensified with the November election of Mayor Karen Weaver over the incumbent, who had blamed state and federal officials. Weaver declared a state of emergency, which led the county and ultimately the state to do the same last week.
WHAT'S NEXT? Snyder pledged this week that officials would contact every household in Flint to check whether residents have bottled water and a filter and want to be tested for lead exposure while his administration works on a long-term solution. Nearly 30 Guardsman are expected to be in place by Friday, enabling American Red Cross volunteers to join door-
to-door efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has approved Snyder's request to coordinate a recovery plan.
Snyder said that since October, about 12,000 filters have been distributed and roughly 2,000 blood tests have been done — uncovering 43 cases of elevated lead levels — but the actions aren't "good enough." It can sometimes be difficult to gauge the effects, which health officials say can take years to fully manifest.
Upcoming Events
CHANGE THE CLIMATE, FIRST ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL GATHERING
FEBRUARY 25-27, 2016 AT MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
Alberta Ecotrust is seeking partners in presenting Change The Climate, Alberta’s first annual Environmental Gathering in February at Mount Royal
University.
For 24 years Alberta Ecotrust has played a unique role on the environmental landscape. As an important intermediary organization, Alberta Ecotrust builds trust and focuses on solutions. With a vast network and deep understanding of the environmental issues, players and policies in Alberta, Alberta Ecotrust brings people from industry and environmental groups together to address Alberta’s emerging environmental challenges. With support from concerned citizens, small businesses, foundations and their corporate and environmental partners, they have invested in close to 600 environmental projects in Alberta over the last 24 years. Their programs build bridges, support collaborative leadership and invest in high impact organizations and environmental initiatives that benefit communities across the province. With it’s expertise in convening, connecting and facilitating collaboration combined with their extensive data on networks and capacity of the environmental nonprofit sector Alberta Ecotrust is well positioned to improve how ENGOs engage with their communities and invest in their strategic capacity to more positively, collectively and effectively solve the environmental problems facing all Albertans. Through Change The Climate Alberta Ecotrust will gather the sector together in one place to improve how ENGOs connect in meaningful ways with each other, with industry and with government. Change the Climate will offer small businesses and large corporate sponsors alike a premier opportunity to showcase their commitment to environmental stewardship and authentic community engagement. Together with their partners, sponsors and participants they hope to change the climate on how we all work together in the future and create further connections, capacity and collaboration on the environment. Change the Climate is the first step in Alberta Ecotrust’s long-term goal of gathering environmental champions annually to identify issues of highest common priority across sectors, discover strategic opportunities and facilitate widespread cooperative action on Alberta’s environment. There are many ways to get involved, and potential for engagement as a presenter or panel member. Please visit our website at www.albertaecotrust.com or call us at 403-209-2245 to learn more.
BEST 2016 Call for Abstracts and Early Registration Information
May 25 to 27, 2016 | Fairmont Chateau Whistler Save up to $150 on regular price!
The British Columbia Environment Industry Association’s BEST Conference is the premier Environmental Business Conference in the province of British Columbia. Conference registration includes: welcoming reception, two days of programming (technical sessions and panel discussions), off-site networking reception, and all meals and coffee breaks.
Presenters receive 50% off the conference registration price!
The British Columbia Environment Industry Association invites submissions of papers and technical presentations for its second annual Bettering Environmental Stewardship and Technology (BEST 2015) Conference to be held in beautiful Whistler, BC May 25 – 27, 2016. Papers and presentations are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas:
Air Quality
Clean Energy
Construction and Municipal Infrastructure
Contaminated Sites Innovative Technologies / Practices, Case Studies, Lessons-Learned
Emergency Spill Response
Environmental Assessment & Permitting
Environmental Law & Case Studies
Environmental Policy Initiatives
First Nations Consultation & Partnerships
Large Projects Mines, Dams, Road Infrastructure, Terminals, Industrial Properties
LEED Building
Mining
Oil & Gas
Sustainable Business Practice Case Studies
Upcoming Major Project Updates and Successes in Western Canada
The preliminary selection of papers and presentations will be based on submitted abstracts and reviewed by a panel of peers. Abstracts should be no more than 500 words, should include a presenter biography, the subject(s) you feel your presentation best suits, and must be received by January 15, 2016.
Please send submissions via e-mail to [email protected] Notification of acceptance will be given by February 12, 2016. Full presentations must be submitted by April 15, 2016.
Download the Call for Abstracts
Visit the BEST2016 Conference website for more information at BestConference.net
SEIMA’ SUSTAINTECH – CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
SEIMA's second SustainTech Conference will be held on Tuesday, April 12th at the Radisson Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
This new date will facilitate participation of provincial officials following the Saskatchewan election scheduled for April 4, 2016. With this new date, we are also extending early bird registration to January 15, 2016.
SustainTech is a conference that will promote sustainability and environmental responsibility, and bring together key industries, academia, consultants and regulators to share ideas on new developments and technologies that will help us make a better and more sustainable world. The conference will again highlight the latest environmental practices and technologies from industry, consultants and regulators in Saskatchewan's key sectors, including agriculture, energy and mining.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
SEIMA is accepting technical abstracts focused in, but not limited to, the following areas:
Environmental sustainability and responsibility in agriculture (new for 2016)
environmental considerations in the extraction of natural resources
sustainable technologies for industry
sustainable energy technologies
oil and gas development
facility operations, industrial issues and technologies
protection and sustainable management of water resources
pipeline development
The abstract submission date for SustainTech 2016 has been extended to January 22nd. Please note there will be a reduced registration rate for those who have their abstracts accepted for presentation. SEIMA will advise as to the acceptance of abstracts by January 31st.
Please click on the link to access the abstract submission form. Forward all submissions to [email protected].
The next CPANS Calgary Technical Luncheon presentation is Wednesday, January 20th. Please register by end of Friday, January 15th! Presenter: Suzanne West, President & CEO of Imaginea Energy Corp. Imaginea Energy stands for Imagine A new way of doing business, a new way that involves lots of “AND.” As the President & CEO, Suzanne West is dedicated to generating sustainable profits that can do good in the world AND providing meaning and purpose to people so that we make a greater positive difference in the world AND doing it in a way that works with Mother Nature as a partner to provide better sustainability of this beautiful planet we inhabit. West is the former President of Black Shire Energy, Inc. and Auriga Energy, Inc., Chariot Energy, Inc., and Touchstone Petroleum, Inc. Mission Possible: Why Innovation is Mission Critical Imaginea Energy Corp. is an energy company backed by private equity based in Calgary, Canada. We produce oil and gas. 6,400 boe/d…for now. But what’s really interesting is the way we go about it. We’re defying industry stereotypes with a vision that bridges the fossil fuel energy industry of today to a renewable energy future for tomorrow. In our quest, we are focused on protecting and enhancing our environment and our communities in everything we do. We’re the energy and hydrocarbon company for the 21st century, where we care about the planet and people just as much as we do about profit - which is to say, a lot. Take our solar powered well site for example, where we have integrated renewable energy into our operations. We have two wells powered by 192 solar panels instead of emission producing grid electricity. Or there’s our gas injection site, to minimize and with time eliminate gas that we flare. We are piloting a hemp road-bed that naturally reclaims itself when we are done with it. We are looking at significantly increasing energy efficiency in our batteries, and we are working to minimize our environmental footprint everywhere in our operations. And of course, there are all of the little things we do every day. We have outfitted our staff’s homes with LED bulbs, and we recycle relentlessly. Many of us ride bikes to work, and when our CEO's bike can’t get her to where she needs to go, she drives a Tesla, powered by solar panels on her roof. We won’t stop until we achieve our high dream goal, which is to profitably produce hydrocarbons with zero GHG emissions, zero pollution and zero use of fresh water. We imagine our hydrocarbons being produced only for clean energy and for clean feedstock in recyclable products. The energy industry can be a force for good, and we’re going to get there! We’re committed to being stewards of the planet and partners of the people. And we’ll deliver a profit to our shareholders while we’re at it
Registration and payment: Please register by end of Friday, January 15th for the event, so that we can order the correct amount of food. Register for this event with Paypal online registration and payment (there is an option for using a credit card, no Paypal account is required) below. http://cpans.org/events/calgary-january-2016-luncheon/
Industry Positions Openings
For more information visit ESAA’s Job Board under the news section of HTUwww.esaa.org UTH
Laboratory Manager – Edmonton
Term: Full-Time Number of Positions: 1 Application Deadline: January 21, 2016 Job Location: Edmonton
CARO Analytical Services is a Western-Canadian based environmental analytical laboratory that provides professional analytical testing services to public and private clients throughout Canada. With operations in Richmond, Kelowna and Edmonton, we provide our clients with complete peace of mind through the highest level of product, service and technical excellence.
Our operations have seen steady growth that we plan to continue into the future. To support this, we are seeking a client focused Laboratory Manager for our Edmonton operation. This position is an excellent opportunity for a laboratory professional who brings proven client management skills, management experience and good technical understanding of the environmental laboratory business. Core responsibilities will include:
Client Development – Support growth objectives by maintaining and building client relationships.
Workload Management – Oversee resources (people, equipment, and facility) to ensure that work commitments are completed within established performance targets.
People Management – Maintain a high-performance culture and a positive work environment. Ensure awareness of company policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.
Technical Leadership – Work with team to develop and refine methods through technical guidance and expertise.
At CARO, we are proud of our high performance culture based on core values of purpose, performance and harmony. Candidates must be able to demonstrate high-performance attributes including: a) showing accountability by taking ownership and leading by example; b) being customer-focus; c) accelerating change by championing new ideas; d) supporting team vs. self-success; e) demonstrating professionalism, showing respect and inspiring confidence; f) showing authenticity and transparency; g) creating positive energy and inspiring others; and h) demonstrating excellence in their field of specialization.
Additionally, candidates should have least 5 years laboratory experience in an environmental laboratory or closely related position; and a post-secondary degree or diploma in a chemical or biological science related discipline.
As a growing company, CARO Analytical Services provides an exciting work environment, opportunity to learn, potential for career advancement, and competitive remuneration and benefits. In this role, you will be given the opportunity to build and enhance existing practices, and will also have the opportunity to make your mark in the organization. If you aspire to a career with a thriving, fast-paced environmental laboratory and work with the best team in the business, consider CARO.
Please respond with cover letter and resume by January 21, 2016 to:
Attention: CARO Human Resources Email: [email protected] No telephone inquiries please. Website: http://www.caro.ca/
Remediation/Reclamation/Soils Specialist
Term: Full-Time Number of Positions: 1 Application Deadline: January 25, 2016 Job Location: Calgary
Remediation/Reclamation/Soils Specialist
Ghostpine Environmental Services Ltd. is a full-service environmental consulting company serving the energy, land development, transportation and construction sectors. We are currently seeking an Intermediate to Senior Remediation/Reclamation/Soils Specialist based in our Calgary office. This is a technical position that will include fieldwork, reporting, regulator/stakeholder/client relations and senior review.
Work duty required for the successful candidate:
Manage and conduct Phase I / II / III Environmental Site Assessments;
Plan, manage and complete site remediation programs;
Detailed understanding of the Alberta Tier 1 and 2 Guidelines;
Understanding of the Alberta Directive 050: Drilling Waste Management guidelines;
Conduct Detailed Site Assessments (DSA’s) for completed reclamation projects and prepare Reclamation Certificate applications;
Understanding Canadian Soils Classification and series in the context of remediation and pipeline construction;
Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) plan development;
Interpret environmental data and prepare technical reports for clients, regulatory agencies and contractors;
Develop budget, co-ordinate and execute projects efficiently and cost-effectively;
Liaise with clients, regulatory agencies, contractors, and landowners;
Develop and maintain relationships with existing clients; and
Mentor junior staff.
Designation as a Professional Agrologist, Professional Geoscientist or an equivalent professional designation is required for this position. The ideal candidate will have a degree in the Environmental Sciences or Soil Sciences disciplines, combined with five (5) to eight (8) or more years of directly related field experience. Experience with British Columbia and Saskatchewan contaminated sites regulations will be considered an asset.
Remuneration will commensurate with experience and education. Ghostpine offers an attractive health benefits program for its fulltime employees. We invite you to visit our website at www.ghostpine.com. Please forward resumes in confidence to: Attention: Cameron Faminow Ghostpine Environmental Services Ltd. 111, 10699 – 46th St. S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2C 5C2
