Shell Canada has pleaded guilty to releasing a toxic substance into the Peace River in northern Alberta and has agreed to pay a $225,000 fine.
The company says John Rhind, vice-president of heavy oil, appeared in court in Peace River, Alta., on Tuesday. "He was there on behalf of the company to enter a guilty plea," said Shell spokesman Stephen Doolan. "That reflects the importance with which Shell approached this event."
Shell was charged after an open valve allowed 12,500 litres of sodium bisulphite to drain into the river in 2009.
The chemical, a common food additive, is used at Shell's Peace River oilsands facility to remove oxygen from water and prevent pipeline corrosion.
The company says John Rhind, vice-president of heavy oil, appeared in court in Peace River, Alta., on Tuesday. "He was there on behalf of the company to enter a guilty plea," said Shell spokesman Stephen Doolan. "That reflects the importance with which Shell approached this event."
Shell was charged after an open valve allowed 12,500 litres of sodium bisulphite to drain into the river in 2009.
The chemical, a common food additive, is used at Shell's Peace River oilsands facility to remove oxygen from water and prevent pipeline corrosion.