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By Canadian Press

Province’s top court told to expand public hearings

Jan 12, 2021 | 2:41 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta’s top court says the Environmental Appeals Board should have listened to wider public concerns before allowing an energy services company to dispose of radioactive waste in a landfill.

A lawyer says the Court of Appeal decision could force the province to consult more broadly and relax rules about who can speak at public hearings.

Shaun Fluker was representing a British-Columbia-based company called Normtek Radiation Services.

In 2016, Normtek filed an objection with the Environmental Appeals Board over a proposal from Secure Energy Services of Calgary to accept radioactive oilfield waste at its site west of Edmonton.

The board never considered Normtek’s concerns, because the company didn’t meet a test of being directly affected by the plans.

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The Appeals Court says that approach – used for years by the board as well as the Alberta Energy Regulator – is restrictive and unreasonable.

A spokeswoman says Alberta Environment is reviewing the ruling.

The appeals board was not immediately available for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2021

The Canadian Press