Environmental groups launch tip line for pipeline leaks
Posted Jul 9, 2012 2:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two high profile oil spills in the province recently have prompted a number of environmental groups to launch a tip line for Albertans to report pipeline leaks.
And according to stats from the Energy Resources Conservation Board, there is no lack of incidents to report. In 2010 alone, the ERCB says there were over 600 spills and leaks.
Mike Hudema of Greenpeace Canada tells 660News, he hopes the tip line will hold oil companies responsible.
“Hopefully” (it will) “put pressure on the Premier to conduct a minimal step,” says Hudema, “appointing an independent review of pipeline safety in this province, so that we can get an independent asssessment of just how safe our pipeline infrastructure is.”
“Because what we know is that a lot more spills occur than what the public is aware about,” Hudema continues. “We know that two of the last major spills were reported by third parties because they weren’t detected by the company.”
Hudema says members from the Alberta Surface Rights Group met after the Red Deer River spill and says the tip line was one of the ideas that surfaced after the meeting.
“So that people had an alternative way to call,” he adds, “because we’re not trusting our government to protect our communities or protect our environment, given their lack of action to, you know, the string of recent oil spills.”
If you spot a spill or leak, the number to call is 1-800-23-Spill.
