$1,000,000 penalty for odour
Fines for industrial accidents keep climbing. On November 4, 2009, BP Canada Energy Company pleaded guilty to one count of causing an odorous discharge that caused an adverse effect. BP was fined $800,000 plus the 25% victim fine surcharge. BP operates a natural gas liquid fractionation plan…
Continue reading the post titled $1,000,000 penalty for odourOrange trees in Ontario?
Is the Ontario Ministry of the Environment really worried about soil toxicity in Ontario adversely affecting orange trees?
Continue reading the post titled Orange trees in Ontario?How big a flood plain should we protect?
The White House is now consulting on a new executive order that would expand floodplain protection for critical facilities, from the 100 to the 500 year storm line.
Continue reading the post titled How big a flood plain should we protect?Another wind energy lawsuit
If you have been at Kingston’s waterfront lately, you’ve seen an 86-turbine wind farm on nearby on Wolfe Island. According to TransAlta, the operator, it’s the second largest wind farm in Canada. The non-profit Hearthmakers Energy Co-operative is proud of the spinning blades and…
Continue reading the post titled Another wind energy lawsuitFind us on Mondaq too
This week, Mondaq’s most popular environmental article, worldwide, was our 10 Things that You Need to Know about Contaminated Sites. According to Mondaq, it is the world’s largest legal news network, so this is quite a compliment. Of course, faithful readers of this blog see th…
Continue reading the post titled Find us on Mondaq tooCan anyone comply with O.Reg. 419/05?
Standard Development Branch's interpretation of O.Reg. 419/05 is making it difficult for responsible industries to obtain the air permits that they need to operate in Ontario.
Continue reading the post titled Can anyone comply with O.Reg. 419/05?Read all about it
What are the prospects for litigation relating to green energy projects, especially wind? Dianne is quoted on this today in both the National Post and the Globe and Mail. Whenever the law is unclear or counterintuitive, it is always good for lawyers.
Continue reading the post titled Read all about itWhy can't we protect trees?
Theoretically, some laws are supposed to protect trees, they aren't actually effective in practice.
Continue reading the post titled Why can't we protect trees?Fair limits on liability
Many engineering consulting firms have adopted standard terms and conditions that we think lack fundamental fairness between client and consultant.
Continue reading the post titled Fair limits on liabilityAboriginal consultation and renewable energy approvals
In order to implement the Green Energy Act, Ontario has recently adopted O. Reg. 359/09, to set up a new regime for accelerated approvals of renewable energy projects (wind, solar, anaerobic digestion and biomass combustion). One key element of the new regime is a six month “service guaran…
Continue reading the post titled Aboriginal consultation and renewable energy approvals