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November 18, 1997
(Environment and Labour)


The following statement was issued today by Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to address the important issue of air quality and to inform Honourable Members of progress that has been made in dealing with a number of environmental matters at the Come By Chance Refinery, particularly matters relating to air quality.

Approximately 130 countries, including Canada, will be meeting in Kyoto, Japan from December 1 to December 12, 1997 for the 3rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is a major international conference dealing with the global problem of climate change from greenhouse gas emissions. In preparation for this international conference, a joint national meeting of energy and environment Ministers was held last week in Regina, Saskatchewan. I am pleased that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador co-chaired this meeting with the Province of Alberta. The meeting was useful in providing the federal government with advice on a national position with respect to climate change issues.

The simple fact that so many nations are meeting in Kyoto, Japan to deal with this single issue clearly demonstrates the importance of air issues on the international agenda. Air issues are important in Newfoundland and Labrador as well.

The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is not a major contributor to the climate change problem. However, government recognizes its responsibilities in this area and we have given assurances that we will work towards meeting the national commitment to reduce greenhouse gasses. As well, government is committed to addressing air quality issues on the whole and not just those that relate to climate change.

In this regard there has been considerable public attention on the need to reduce emissions at the Come by Chance refinery, particularly emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2). Therefore, over the past few months, I have met with company officials to discuss a number of outstanding environmental concerns, including emission levels. While these discussions are ongoing, I felt that it was appropriate at this time to inform Honourable Members of the status of those discussions, particularly with respect to priority items.

A schedule of reductions has been agreed between the government and the refinery owners and operators in an Environmental Compliance Initiative. Government intends to hold North Atlantic Refining Ltd to the commitments made under this agreement.

As a result of discussions with North Atlantic Refining Ltd., the company has committed to install equipment, and have it operating within six months, at an estimated cost of $4.6 million which will reduce the sulphur dioxide emissions by 14,000 tonnes annually. This represents a decrease of approximately 33 per cent from last year's emission levels. We will continue to work with North Atlantic Refining Ltd. to ensure that further improvements are made in this area.

As well, the company has been directed to treat and dispose of a stockpile of sour water at the refinery. Sour water is a by-product of the refining process and is composed of hydrogen sulphide and ammonia dissolved in water. In this regard, the company has improved the efficiency of their existing sour water stripper and also improved operations to reduce sour water production.

Another key environmental issue at the refinery relates to the impounding basin which serves a containment function in the event of leakage or a spill. Based on concerns expressed by the Department of Environment and Labour, work has begun to increase the capacity of the impounding basin by raising the height of its wall. This work is expected to be completed by December 31, 1997. This is a positive development at the refinery as it will provide greater assurance that any leakage or spill of petroleum liquids will be contained on site and not released into the environment.

North Atlantic Refining Ltd has also been directed to complete a comprehensive waste management plan by December 31, 1997. The objective of this plan is to have the company prevent or reduce waste before it occurs and to ensure proper storage and handling. The waste management plan will be reviewed by government for approval prior to implementation.

Government is satisfied with the level of cooperation that we have received lately from North Atlantic Refining Ltd, and acknowledge that environmental conditions at the refinery have improved since the Company has assumed ownership. To this end, the company has spent in excess of $16 million over the past three years on improvements that will benefit the environment. We fully expect North Atlantic Refining to continue to take steps towards addressing environmental issues at the refinery, including further reductions of SO2.

I wish to assure the House that as Minister of Environment and Labour I will continue to be vigilant in my efforts to ensure environmental conditions at the refinery meet acceptable standards.

1997 11 18 4:45 p.m.

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