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That rotten stench in the air? It’s the smell of deadly gas and secrecy

Cribb, Robert
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/10/01/that-rotten-stench-in-the-air-its-the-smell-of-deadly-gas-and-secrecy.html

Publisher:  Toronto Star
Date Written:  01/10/2017
Year Published:  2017  
Resource Type:  Article

Documents obtained through freedom-of-information requests and from whistleblowers, including internal correspondence and inspection reports, disclose serious infractions and failures in performance by oil and gas companies; yet regulatory standards remain largely unchanged and H2S incidents and risks remain hidden from the public.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt: The government issued no public warning after Galloway reported the plume at her home because "there was no evidence that this was a widespread failure." But inside government and industry offices, documents indicate the seriousness of H2S issues that led to years of meetings, audits and proposed regulatory reforms.

On April 7, 2014, government and industry officials deliberated about releasing data that showed H2S "hotspots" across southeastern Saskatchewan.

"Government may be accused of hiding information," the notes read. "Public will want to know: 1. What are the areas? 2. How is it managed? 3. How is the government making sure it’s managed?" one unnamed official told the meeting. "Are we creating a risk by not releasing this data immediately?"

Despite acknowledging "significant" public health risks from H2S, at least some officials present expressed concern about "sensitivity in this data (because) there are residents living in these areas."

No release followed.

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