Alberta Energy Regulator Imposes Penalties on Coal Company for Violating Environmental Protection Standards

Jon Keeler, the director of Field Operations East at the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), pointed out that CST failed to report a significant issue: the release of mine wastewater into the environment. This oversight was a direct violation of their approval requirements.

The AER also noted that CST lacked proper procedures and training for monitoring their control room system. On the day of the incident, there were no specific written procedures or training documents in place related to this system, which added to the problem.

CST defended itself, arguing that the penalties imposed were harsh and not in line with past AER decisions, where similar issues were addressed with just warning letters. They emphasized their cooperation during the investigation and the measures they had taken to avoid future issues.

Nevertheless, the AER rejected CST’s claims. Keeler emphasized the importance of following regulatory approval conditions: “These conditions are vital for minimizing environmental impacts.”