Court Bulletin

For immediate release
September 30, 2009

THE CORPORATION OF THE COUNTY OF LAMBTON AND BLACKWELL RENEWABLE ENERGY INC. FINED $45,000 FOR CONSTRUCTING A WASTE DISPOSAL SITE WITHOUT APPROVAL

SARNIA – On September 14, 2009, the Corporation of the County of Lambton and Blackwell Renewable Energy Inc. pleaded guilty to one violation each under the Environmental Protection Act.  The County of Lambton pleaded guilty to altering a waste disposal site without proper approvals and Blackwell Renewable Energy Inc. pleaded guilty to constructing a landfill gas utilization generation facility without a Certificate of Approval. The Corporation of the County of Lambton and Blackwell Renewable Energy Inc. were fined $22,500 each plus a victim fine surcharge and were given sixty days to pay the fine.

The Court heard that the Corporation of the County of Lambton and Blackwell Renewable Energy Inc. commenced the construction of a landfill gas collection system and alteration of the Sarnia Landfill site without obtaining the required approvals. In March 2007, the County of Lambton and Blackwell Renewable Energy Inc. were informed that an amendment was required to continue with the construction and alteration of the Sarnia Landfill site.  In July 2007, ministry officials attended the Sarnia Landfill and made observations that the company had continued the construction and alteration of the Sarnia Landfill site.  Investigation confirmed that this project had commenced on or about July 3, 2007 and continued into September 2007 without the required approvals.
 
The Corporation of the County of Lambton and Renewable Energy Inc. were charged following an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch.

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For further information:
Members of the media: Kate Jordan Communications Branch (416) 314-6666
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ontario.ca/environment

 

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