Every community in Canada likely has a fuel-related brownfield site — a piece of land where a gas station or fuel plant once stood.
Before new land use can proceed, these sites must be remediated, and Canadian Fuels members are up to the task. Between 2009 and 2017, they remediated 1,501 sites — up from the 1,265 logged by 2015.
Remediated sites can be redeveloped to a productive use consistent with the site land use zoning.
Rob Hoffman, Director, Government and Stakeholder Relations for Canadian Fuels, explains that brownfields are former industrial and commercial sites that are often abandoned eyesores in their communities.
“The costs are considerable,” said Hoffman. “Environmental investigation and remediation can also take a long time — even years. But it’s worthwhile work, and our members are proud that they are remediating an average of 200 brownfield sites across Canada, annually.”
Every jurisdiction is different
Adding to the complexity of remediation is the fact that each jurisdiction has different regulations.
Brownfield sites must meet provincial environmental criteria and municipal zoning standards. Environmental investigation and remediation work is usually coordinated between the site owners and provincial ministries of the environment.
The goal is to return soil and groundwater to meet provincial criteria.
“Each province has a different regulatory regime,” noted Hoffman. “It is a very challenging environment in which to understand how to get things done.”
New policies in Alberta, B.C.
In Alberta, a new Remediation Regulation has been passed. Taking effect Jan. 1, 2019, it will allow owners of remediated sites to apply for a Remediation Certificate which confirms regulatory liability closure.
“When a site is remediated, a certificate declares that the member is finished with the site,” said Hoffman.
The company must first demonstrate that the site has been remediated to applicable standards for both groundwater and soil. The regulation also outlines greater detail on reporting requirements and the duty to take remedial measures for substance releases.
“Canadian Fuels members were very active in advocating for this. We feel good about this because it resulted in a pretty positive outcome,” said Hoffman.
Recent revisions have also come to British Columbia’s Contaminated Site Regulation (CSR), including raising soil, water and vapour standards to reflect current science.
New contaminant exposure and land use scenarios were added, as well as the inclusion of vapour standards for parkade use and a commitment to a five-year standards review cycle.
On board
Canadian Fuels is a member of the Canadian Brownfields Network, a non-profit group launched in 2004 in response to recommendations by the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy’s National Brownfield Redevelopment Strategy for Canada. Hoffman has recently taken a seat on the board and is pleased that the voice of Canadian Fuels is heard.
“Being on the board gives us more direct input,” said Hoffman. “It’s important to be at the table with other stakeholders, including municipalities and provincial regulators. We share a common goal to get brownfields remediated and redeveloped, in ways that meet community needs and also protect the environment.”
Find out more about brownfield remediation.
