B. Cusano Contracting Inc., R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd. and Kinder Morgan subsidiary Trans Mountain Pipeline L.P. were sentenced in provincial court today to pay $550,000 in fines and penalties for their role in a 2007 oil spill pollution incident in Burnaby.

Most of the funds will go to conservation projects and an educational program designed to prevent similar incidents.

The two contractors and the owner of the pipeline were each ordered to pay a $1,000 fine to the Crown and to make a $149,000 contribution to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. The Foundation supports projects that maintain and enhance the health and biological diversity of British Columbia's fish, wildlife and natural habitats so that people can use, enjoy and benefit from these resources.

In addition, Trans Mountain Pipeline was ordered to contribute $100,000 to the British Columbia Common Ground Alliance for the purpose of identifying parties engaged in construction or excavation, organizing and planning DigSafe BC workshops, and raising awareness to prevent similar incidents.

These fines and penalties resulted from a lengthy and thorough investigation led by the B.C. Ministry of Environment's Conservation Officer Service with support from Environment Canada. The investigation culminated in charges being approved by the Crown under provincial environmental legislation.

On July 24, 2007, construction crews ruptured an underground pipeline and caused an oil geyser that released approximately 250,000 litres of synthetic crude oil into the land and marine environment of Burrard Inlet.

The three companies involved pleaded guilty on Oct. 3 of this year to charges of "introducing pollution to the environment" under Section 6 of the Environmental Management Act.

Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Communications Officer
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745