Alberta Energy Regulator lays 9 charges against Imperial Oil for 2023 wastewater spill [Video]

The Alberta Energy Regulator has laid nine charges against Imperial Oil almost two years after an estimated 5.3 million litres of contaminated wastewater overflowed from a pond at its Kearl oilsands mine north of Fort McMurray.

The charges, announced Friday, include failing to report the spill as soon as the company became aware of it, releasing a substance that had or may have had a major impact on the environment and failing to immediately take all reasonable measures to clean up the spill.

While most of the charges are under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, the company is also facing charges under the Public Lands Act for “causing the loss or damage of public land” and for accumulating waste on public land.

Renato Gandia, a spokesperson for the Alberta Energy Regulator, said in an email that the agency can’t comment further as the matter is now before the courts.

A spokesperson for Imperial Oil, …