Families who have left their homes in the Peace River area due to health concerns from oil sands emissions hope to find out this week if the company involved will be ordered to shut its wells down until it installs pollution control equipment.
Affected landowner Brian Labrecque says they’ll be asking a judge to grant an eight month injunction against Baytex Energy’s operations in the area.
“We are hoping that will allow them a sufficient amount of time to implement the infrastructure and the strategies needed to fix the problem and eliminate the odours and emissions that have been harming the residents and landowners.”
A preliminary inquiry into emission problems and regulation gaps was held by the Alberta Energy Regulator in January, although a report and recommendations have not yet been released.
Labrecque adds it could take up to a year for any new regulations to be be implemented, adding to the need for the injunction.
He maintains they aren’t against the oil sands industry, but want to find a way to co-exist healthily.