Hot water coastal gas link over pipeline environmental violations

garretschoenbergOctober 22, 2022

The order was issued after an October 5 inspection found the project was not in compliance with a compliance agreement that should have avoided environmental violations.

date of issue:

October 22, 2022 • 13 minutes ago • Read in 3 minutes • join the conversation

Kitimat on the North Central Coast of BC, the terminus of the Coastal Gas Link pipeline route to a liquefied natural gas project. Photo credit: Kitimat district

TC Energy’s Coastal GasLink pipeline project hits a snag with British Columbia’s environmental regulator for failing to meet the terms of a compliance agreement that would have remedied the project’s long history of non-compliance with environmental permits doing.

The Department of Environmental Assessment said the company’s contractors had “failed to comply with the requirements of the contract and specified a specific work implementation plan.”

The order also required Coastal GasLink to cease construction work in areas covered by the contract “unless in full compliance” with the terms of the contract.

Coastal GasLink said in a statement on Saturday that the EAO order was issued “without prior notice or explanation” and that it was working with agents “to understand the details of the order”.

In the meantime, the order states that “construction may not take place,” but unless the terms of the compliance agreement are complied with, in the identified areas, the coastal gas link “will not comply with this order.” We understand that we have, and will continue to be, compliant.”

In an unsourced statement, Coastal GasLink said during and after the inspections that took place on 4 and 5 October, there were “no indications of imminent harm to the environment” and that mitigation measures were “in place according to the EAO.” It was done.” Approved work execution plan. ”

Coastal GasLink and EAO announced on July 13 to improve their approach to preventing erosion and sediment management around sensitive waterways covering a 100-kilometer section of pipeline route that has yet to be dismantled. reached a compliance agreement aimed at

The $11 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline is currently being built to connect a gas field in northeastern BC with LNG Canada’s $18 billion LNG plant under construction near Kitimat.

The EAO has issued dozens of warnings, 16 orders, and two fines to the coastal gas link and its contractors, which have prevented erosion and sedimentation in sensitive waterways since work began on the project. There were many violations related to allowing.

In its compliance contract, the EAO states that grading for construction (known as grabbing and stripping) increases the risk of erosion and sediment flow, and that the contractor has qualified specialists to develop sediment control components in the work execution plan. I confirmed that I requested to appoint a house.

These plans detail the contractor’s understanding of which rivers within the work area may be at risk and apply measures to minimize erosion or sediment flow. was to do

Coastal GasLink released a statement on July 14 outlining its commitments to its compliance agreements, including providing erosion and sediment management training to more than 400 workers and contractors.

However, the EAO’s October 14 order states that Coastal GasLink “must cease all changes to the approved work plan that are not in accordance with the agreement” and “must not introduce any measures not specified in the work plan.” It has to stop,” he said. ”

The order did not specify how Coastal GasLink violated its compliance agreement.

The latest order is separate from the September 27 warning letter EAO issued to Coastal GasLink, which said the project was endangered or endangered. identified that they were at risk of fines for failing to conduct habitat assessments to identify plants or “ecosystem communities” within their work areas. .

The July inspection report on which the warning was based identified five instances of Coastal GasLink’s non-compliance with environmental certifications. This includes three incidents related to sediment and erosion control failures.

depenner@postmedia.com

twitter.com/derrickpenner

More news, less ads: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 a week, get unlimited add-on access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Subscribe now and support us: The Vancouver Sun |