May 9, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta – National Energy Board

The National Energy Board (NEB) is investigating a butane release that occurred at approximately 2:30 pm (PST) today at the McMahon Gas Plant tank farm operated by Westcoast Energy Inc., in Taylor, British Columbia. The incident is under control and there is no threat to public safety.

Taylor, BC is located in northeastern British Columbia about 18 km southeast of Fort St. John. Butane is a gas and the release has since dissipated.

Earlier in the incident, some residents of Taylor were evacuated and a nearby highway was closed as a precautionary measure. Residents have been allowed back in their homes and the highway has been reopened.

While the incident is under the jurisdiction of the NEB, staff from the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission (BCOGC) are on site on behalf of the NEB, as part of an agreement that the NEB has with the BCOGC.

All appropriate agencies have been notified and an NEB investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. The NEB’s priority in any emergency is to make sure that the people are safe and the environment is protected.

The NEB holds regulated companies fully responsible and accountable for responding in a manner that protects the public, property and the environment. This includes cleanup and site remediation.

The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulator of several parts of Canada’s energy industry with the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment as its top priority. Its purpose is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest.

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Contacts

For further information:

Darin Barter
Communications Officer
National Energy Board
E-mail: darin.barter@neb-one.gc.ca
Telephone: 403-837-5267
Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265
Facsimile: 403-292-5503
Facsimile (toll free): 1-877-288-8803
TTY (Teletype): 1-800-632-1663

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=973159&tp=1