Clean Air for Calgary



	Significant Issues Pertaining to Poor Air Quality in the Calgary Area...
	# 1 - NW Asphalt Plant
	Prime Minister Harper has campaigned on the devotion to real, result oriented, environmental policies and against race-biased policies. The question needs to be asked are we violating both of those principles right? in his own riding, allowing this plant to behave in a way that is damaging the environment and making people in the surrounding communities ill. "I had noticed I was breathing a little better and had asked a neighbor if they had also noticed it and their comment was yes –since the plant has closed for the season” “How much longer do we have to wait with this plant, when it would have been shut down if located in any other location?”

	What to do if you Smell a Petroleum/Diesel-like Odour? Environment Alberta cannot keep up with volume of calls, and will only be taking down a count of the number of calls. Please call their Hotline at: 1-800-222-6514.

	Breaking News
	3/30/2007 - Calgary Clean Air’s review of the Final Screening Report for Sarcee Asphalt Plant. " Ultimately, while there is little debate among residents that the major contributing factor to offensive odour and other emissions from this particular facility is its use of “used/waste oil” as its fuel and that a switch to a cleaner fuel such as natural gas or propane would virtually eliminate the odour problem at this facility, and while INAC does not compel the Sarcee Asphalt Plant to switch to a cleaner burning fuel, we must view INAC’s requirement that this plant not “cause an offensive odour”, with healthy skepticism that the sources of the toxic fumes in our neighbourhoods will actually be mitigated. " Read it here

	3/16/2007 - CEAA Environmental Screening Report for Sarcee Asphalt Plant is completed. "It is critical that all recommended mitigation measures be implemented." Including... "Install and properly operate necessary commercially available pollution control technologies to successfully mitigate offensive odours and emissions. Odours from the plant should not be offensive." read the entire report

	3/1/2007 - Federal Clean Air Act - Interestingly enough, Jim Prentice's (Minister for Indian Affairs) official web site mentions his interest on Canada's Clean Air Act (read more about the Act here).

	1/08/2007 - Here is the letter we sent to Hon. John Baird, the new Minister of the Environment. download Word version here

	previous news below


	Why Does this Smell Occur in the SW?
	There is an unlicensed asphalt plant located on the Tsuu T'ina Nation, which is owned and operated by the Tsuu T'ina Council and CARMACKS Enterprises. This plant has been operating without any required permits for over 2 1/2 years. According to the Prime Ministers office "To remain competitive with other asphalt plants in Calgary, the Tsuu T’ina Nation (Council's & Carmacks) plant is using waste oil, whereas *other producers now use only propane or natural gas*, which considerably diminishes the odour emanating from their plants."


	Are Asphalt Fumes Dangerous to our Health?
	Asphalt Fumes are Known Toxins. "Asphalt processing and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities are major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde, hexane, phenol, polycyclic organic matter, and toluene. Exposure to these air toxics may cause cancer, central nervous system problems, liver damage, respiratory problems and skin irritation." [EPA] more on Health Issues
	Previous News on the Asphalt Plant
	10/23/06 - Sleepless in South Calgary - Calgary Herald - ....the plant burns dirty, used oil rather than cleaner natural gas. The federal government is now keeping the plant open while it assesses emissions. Federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice wants to wait for the results of stack tests. If I built an asphalt plant, without a permit that burned dirty fuel upwind from a residential area and 500 Calgarians complained it was making their children sick, would I be granted that leniency? Download

	10/19/06 - CBC Radio 1 Eye Opener - "I’ve been thinking about how societies encourage good behaviour. Most start with the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. The Sarcee Asphalt plant, started up in 2004, upwind of Oakridge community, burns dirty bunker oil instead of cleaner natural gas or propane. The Tsuu T’ina just never bothered to get the required federal permits and have run the plant illegally for two and a half years. After over 500 Calgarians complained that the plant is making their kids ill, Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said he wouldn’t shut down the illegal facility, Concerned Calgarians should write to Stephen Harper, whose riding includes all the communities affected by the Tsuu T’ina actions, and Jim Prentice, who’s responsible for Indian Affairs. Tell them you’re mad as hell and you’re not going to take it anymore." read the transcript

	10/14/06 - CTV News - Residents experiencing nauseating, burning sensation throughout several SW communities. Complaints received by residents both on and off reserve. Several hundred elementary and pre-school children are be subjected to the Tsuu T'ina and Carmarcks un-permitted asphalt plant emissions. Over 600 health complaints received regarding emission of the asphalt plant, however Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) says results so far are normal and acceptable. Note: None of the tests completed so far deal with the odour and its affects, stack tests will be done sometime in the next 2 weeks according to INAC.

	10/05/06 - Calgary Clean presents the public input into the Permitting, EA and Screening process. Download document here

	9/26/06 Calgary Herald - Asphalt Plant owner and City of Calgary Supplier Carmacks Enterprises Summoned to Court to Face 8 Charges for Failing to Ensure the Health and Safety of Workers - Two local companies could be facing up to $500,000 in fines after a Calgary worker was seriously hurt by an electric shock two years ago. The province has laid eight charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act against Carmacks Enterprises Ltd. and D&D Enterprises. The companies are accused of failing to ensure the health and safety of workers, along with other charges. Both companies have been summoned to appear in Calgary Provincial Court on November 10. Carmacks is currently providing to Alberta Transportation the highway maintenance services on the Deerfoot Trail in the City of Calgary

	Indian and Northern Affairs Commitment - "The Department will encourage the Nation to operate within the terms and conditions of the permit, but if it is determined that the plant poses a health risk to Nation members or the public, the Department will do everything within its power and authority to have the plant shut down until remedial action is taken." read the entire letter

	9/21/06 Numerous Health Concerns have been Reported. If you live in one of the SW Calgary neigbourhoods affected by the Tsuu T'ina Council & CARMACKS asphalt plant (Oakridge, Palliser, Braeside, Lakview, Bayview, CedarBrae, Woodbine) and have experienced unusual health concerns over the summer, you are not alone. Common ailments associated with asphalt plant emissions include: asthma, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, severe irritation of the skin, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Please send an e-mail to info@calgarycleanair.com with your health issues and contact information.

	9/13/06 READ our Responses and Questions (including satellite photos of the site). After careful review of the Tsuu T'ina's Council submitted EA and Screening report, over 8 pages of inconsistencies where uncovered, including: Incorrect distances (the plant is actually 2.5kms from the City, not 4kms as the Tsuu T'ina state in the report); the Tsuu T'ina Assessment is silent on the description of the oil products that are being used at the asphalt plant; Contamination of groundwater is a serious matter and has significant adverse environmental effects if not properly mitigated; the Assessment states that trucks leaving the asphalt plant need to travel across a one-lane bridge that crosses the Elbow River. The Elbow River crossing site is immediately upstream of the Glenmore Reservoir and this is the water body used by the City of Calgary as its major source for drinking water for the city’s population. Should a malfunction or accident occur due to either spillage or an unfortunate accident with a truck carrying asphalt leaving the bridge and entering the river, this could have significant impact on the water quality; A critical concern lies with the volume and type of oil stored on the plant site and the significant adverse effect that could occur should these tanks rupture or ignite. There is no mention of secondary containment or fire extinguishing equipment or procedures in the Assessment. The resulting potential safety hazard as well as adverse environmental effects would be experienced by both the residents of the Reserve and the City of Calgary (possibly similar to the experience relating to the Hub Oil facility explosion and fire in Calgary, AB). Download Document

	9/11/06 Download the Tsuu T'ina's Environmental Assessment and Screening Report

	9/11/06 Calgary Herald article in City Section - An environmental report completed by the plant operators (Tsuu T'ina and Carmacks Enterprises ) were advised to use cleaner fuels and introduce odour neutralizers to mitigate fume problems. However, the Tsuu T'ina and Carmacks Enterprises are clearly ignoring those recommendations by continuing to operate the illegal asphalt plant. Due to jurisdiction issues, the province hasn't been testing on Tsuu T'ina land, but has offered to do so. So far, the proposal hasn't been accepted.

	9/10/06 - Asphalt Plant is back in illegal Operation!! - After 8 days of clean air, Calgary and Tsuu T'ina residents were once again woken by the toxic smell of petroleum/diesel early Sunday morning. It appears not having a permit, or following the Provincial standards outlined for the operation of an asphalt plant has not stopped the Tsuu T'ina Council and Carmacks Enterprises from operating this plant.

	9/8/06 Calgary Herald article in City Section - Alberta Environment admits due to jurisdiction issues they have not been testing at the plant site. This is contrary to what Tsuu T'ina Nation 's Peter Mannywounds said on the Rutherford show on August 31st, where he indicated that any approved testing agency can come on to the reserve. Read the article

	9/6/06 QR77 Radio RUTHERFORD SHOW Interview - Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice confirms that if plant doesn't meet rules it will be shut down. Minister also mentions the asphalt plant could be using waste oil instead of properly scrubbed oil. Caller also says "if this plant was built on City property so close to the Elbow River is would be shut down in a minute."

	8/31/06 CTV News 5pm - Headaches, fatigue, throat and eye irritation plague City residents from fumes coming from an un-permitted asphalt plant on Tsuu T'ina. Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada spokesperson says funding to the reserve could be affected if this plant does not meet the environmental regulations. Tsuu T'ina Nations comment to CTV News: no comment, they are hoping the problem will just go away.

	8/31/06 City of Calgary - City Director of Roads says "the City is not purchasing at this time and is awaiting the Environmental report findings."

	8/31/06 QR77 Radio RUTHERFORD SHOW Interview - Department of Indian and Northern Affairs clearly states a land use permit and environment impact assessment were required from the band before an asphalt plant can be built, they also confirmed this was not done until after the plant was operating. Carmacks Enterprises has partnered with the Tsuu T'ina Council to run this un-permitted asphalt plant.

	8/30/06 CBC News Canada - Paulson told CBC News that while he is concerned about the complaints, there isn't much that can be done right now, adding that the plant is just one of the inconveniences that comes with industrial development.read the entire story. Listen here

	8/29/06 CBC News Canada - some people in southwest Calgary say an asphalt plant on the nearby Tsuu T'ina First Nation has been harming their health, complaining that the aboriginal operators aren't operating under the usual environmental regulations. Alberta Environment officials had been taking air samples but stopped after they were told the reserve falls under federal jurisdiction. read the entire story. Listen here



	(C) 2007 CalgaryCleanAir.com			Terms of Use