Alberta rushes to contain oil spill on Red Deer River

Source: Calgary Herald

CALGARY — Containment booms have been set up at a key reservoir in west-central Alberta to sop up crude oil flowing in the swollen Red Deer River from a pipeline leak north of Sundre.

Water intake valves along the 56-kilometre spill path have been shut in and residents downstream of the town to Gleniffer Lake were notified of the incident, said Alberta Environment Friday.

Residents along the banks of the river have already reported the stench of sour oil and sightings of dead wildlife following a 1,000- to 3,000-barrel spill into a tributary north of Sundre Thursday evening.

Pipeline operator Plains Midstream Canada said it shut down its Rangeland pipeline operations immediately following notification of the leak at Jackson Creek. The company said the strong odour resulting from the oil did not pose a health of safety risk to the public.


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Alberta+rushes+contain+spill+Deer+River/6754214/story.html