June 15: Pipeline Leak Spills Petroleum Near a Grizzly Bear Management Zone

A pipeline leak has spilled about 380,000 litres of light petroleum within five kilometres of a grizzly bear management zone. An undetermined amount reached a nearby creek, which flows to a beaver dam and then into the Simonette River. There’s no evidence of animals or fish hurt by the spill but the oil company doesn’t know how long it’ll take to clean it up. The AER issued an environmental protection order to ConocoPhillips, directing it to contain the release and prevent it from spreading, control access, collect water and soil samples, and submit a final report to the AER.