Xelebes
August 29th, 2007, 09:10 AM
A wee late on this post, but I thought this was fair game. Chance that I was listening to the Horrorist when I came across this. =/
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Syncrude ordered to clean up smelly pond
edmontonjournal.com
Published: yesterday 1:41 pm
EDMONTON - Alberta Environment today ordered Syncrude Canada to clean up foul-smelling emissions of hazardous gases from a waste treatment pond at its oilsands plant north of Fort McMurray.
Ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, a lethal impurity that gives "sour" gas its rotten-egg stench, have been detected by alarm systems and area residents have complained, the order reported.
Odours have spread as far as Fort McKay, about 22 kilometres north of the plant, Alberta Environment spokesman Josh Stewart said. There have been repeated complaints since October of 2006, he added.
The emissions appear to be trace amounts of the offending gases absorbed by the atmosphere from the waste pond surface, and no public health complaints have emerged, Stewart said.
Alberta Environment suspects the new problem at the 29-year-old Syncrude operation results from plant expansions that have increased both oil output and flows of byproduct wastes, Stewart said.
The cleanup order is intended to prompt a thorough investigation of the effluent pond, he said.
Syncrude was directed to devise an interim plan by Sept. 4 for immediate action to cut hydrogen sulphide and ammonia releases. A deadline of Oct. 1 was set for the plant to complete a comprehensive plan for long-range cleanup action.
The cleanup program must identify all substances flowing into and out of the waste pond including volumes, concentrations and effects on air quality in and around the oilsands plant, the order said.
© Edmonton Journal 2007
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Syncrude ordered to clean up smelly pond
edmontonjournal.com
Published: yesterday 1:41 pm
EDMONTON - Alberta Environment today ordered Syncrude Canada to clean up foul-smelling emissions of hazardous gases from a waste treatment pond at its oilsands plant north of Fort McMurray.
Ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, a lethal impurity that gives "sour" gas its rotten-egg stench, have been detected by alarm systems and area residents have complained, the order reported.
Odours have spread as far as Fort McKay, about 22 kilometres north of the plant, Alberta Environment spokesman Josh Stewart said. There have been repeated complaints since October of 2006, he added.
The emissions appear to be trace amounts of the offending gases absorbed by the atmosphere from the waste pond surface, and no public health complaints have emerged, Stewart said.
Alberta Environment suspects the new problem at the 29-year-old Syncrude operation results from plant expansions that have increased both oil output and flows of byproduct wastes, Stewart said.
The cleanup order is intended to prompt a thorough investigation of the effluent pond, he said.
Syncrude was directed to devise an interim plan by Sept. 4 for immediate action to cut hydrogen sulphide and ammonia releases. A deadline of Oct. 1 was set for the plant to complete a comprehensive plan for long-range cleanup action.
The cleanup program must identify all substances flowing into and out of the waste pond including volumes, concentrations and effects on air quality in and around the oilsands plant, the order said.
© Edmonton Journal 2007