Shell Canada Fined for Mercaptan Leak

Shell Canada Ltd. has been penalized a total of C$825,000 ($618,750) after pleading guilty to illegally discharging a liquid containing the gas odorant mercaptan. The Ontario Provincial Court assessed a C$500,000 ($375,000) fine, plus C$125,000 ($93,750) for Shell Canada’s violation of the province’s Environmental Assessment Act related to a January 2013 leak at its Sarnia Manufacturing Centre refinery in Corunna, Ontario, the provincial Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change said Nov. 27. The leaked liquid flowed into an on-site ditch that empties into the refinery’s storm sewer system, and its foul odor affected members of the nearby Aamjiwnaang First ...