NLIS 5
September 5, 2001
(Environment)
(Government Services and Lands)
 

Domestic Fuel Oil Spill Prevention Committee presents report to government 

The Domestic Fuel Oil Spill Prevention Committee today released its report and recommendations on how government can work to reduce the occurrence of domestic fuel oil spills. Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Environment, accepted the report on behalf of government. 

The formation of the committee was announced in March 2001 by Water Noel, Minister of Government Services and Lands. Comprised of representatives of the fuel service, environmental and insurance industries, as well as consumers and government officials, the committee was formed in the wake of a winter that saw a dramatic increase in the number of domestic fuel oil spills due to record snowfalls. Its mandate was to advise government on how to address the immediate problems related to domestic fuel oil spills and to suggest mechanisms to minimize such occurrences in the future. 

"On behalf of government, I want to thank the committee members for their efforts and their contributions of time and expertise. They are to be commended for conducting thorough consultations and for forging a consensus report on difficult issues," said Minister Wiseman. "Government's next step is to review the report and the recommendations to subsequently determine its role in reducing and preventing domestic fuel spills."

In Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 66,000 households use fuel as the principal source of heat and it is assumed that these households are serviced by at least one storage tank. During the heating season 2000/2001, there were approximately 600 residential fuel oil spills reported, which was twice the number from previous years. For the period January 1 to May 10, 2001, it was estimated that insurance companies processed 340 claims associated with domestic fuel oil spills with costs totalling approximately $9 million. In the year 2000, there were 220 claims and from 1996-1999 the claim total was 610. 

Minister Noel said: "Domestic fuel spills have high financial and environmental costs for homeowners, insurance companies, fuel providers, and government. In working together to reduce and prevent the occurrence of fuel spills, all stakeholders and the environment benefit."

Minister Wiseman added that while government must review the report and the recommendations, preliminary discussions with committee members indicate that the primary recommendation involves regulations: "The committee has suggested to government that implementing regulations for domestic fuel systems would help reduce and prevent domestic fuel spills, and I am prepared to consider this issue on a priority basis," he said.

"This consensus report demonstrates that government, industry, and consumers can work together to address issues. Government is committed to continuing to work with the committee and industry stakeholders to address the recommendations outlined in the report, and to reduce and prevent the occurrence of domestic fuel spills," concluded Minister Noel. 

Copies of the report are available by contacting the Department of Government Services and Lands at 729-4860, by visiting the department's web site at www.gov.nl.ca/gsl/consultation/, or by visiting a local Government Services Centre.

A list of committee members is attached.

Media contact:
Diane Keough, Department of Environment, (709) 729-2575
Rick Callahan, Department of Government Services and Lands, (709) 729-4860

2001 09 05                                           2:05 p.m.

Domestic Fuel Oil Spill Prevention Committee

Mr. John Drover (Co-Chair)
Director, Policy and Planning
Department of Environment

Mr. H. Sheridan Yetman
Vice-President & General Manager
Harvey's Oil Limited

Mr. Carl Paddock
Atlantic Plumbing and Heating

Mr. Darrell H. Swain
Co-ordinator (Safety)
Johnson Inc.

Mr. David Anthony
Insurance Corporation of Newfoundland Limited

Mr. Steve Elliott
Department of Environment

Mr. Bill Melendy, ADI- Nolan Davis
Environmental Consultant

Consumer Representatives:

Mr. Bruce Tricco

Ms. Katherine Flight

Mr. Cyril Simms (Co-Chair)
Environmental-Health Officer
Government Service Centre 
Department of Government Services and Lands

Mr. Bill Oakley
Service Manager
North Atlantic Refining

Mr. Ron McCarthy
Branch Manager
Kerr Controls Limited

Mr. Kevin J. Sheppard
District Sales Manager
The Co-operators

Mr. John Dutton
Department of Environment

Mr. Don Boland
Eastern Sheet Metal Works Ltd.