Irving Oil, Grant Enterprises face two counts under Clean Environment Act
In a government news release issued on Wednesday, April 29, the Holt government announced that charges have been laid in relation to a diesel fuel release at a commercial property on Beardsley Road in Woodstock.
Two counts were filed with the court on Tuesday, April 29, under the Clean Environment Act, against Irving Oil Ltd. and co-accused Grant Enterprises Ltd.
The charges relate to the release of a contaminant into the environment and a failure to immediately report a leak or possible leak of a petroleum product from a system.
Under paragraph 33(1)(b) of the act, the offences carry a potential fine ranging up to $1 million.
The matter stems from an incident reported in December 2024, when petroleum odours were detected in a potable well at a nearby commercial property.
An investigation determined that diesel fuel had been released over time from a fuel storage system at a neighbouring service station due to equipment failure.
Environmental response actions were undertaken following the discovery, including the recovery of about 180,000 litres of diesel and monitoring and remediation of the affected area.
“Protecting the public and upholding the law are key priorities for our government,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin. “We will continue to take appropriate action when potential violations are identified.”
The Department of Justice and Public Safety and the Department of Environment and Local Government worked collaboratively on the investigation.
“Our government is firmly dedicated to upholding environmental compliance,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage. “We are committed to fostering a healthy and resilient environment in New Brunswick for today and for future generations.”
More to come…
