Teck Coal has been fined $37,500 for infractions related to air emissions in Sparwood.
On Thursday, the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy tweeted Elkview Operations had been issued an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) under the Environmental Management Act.
“The penalty is for failing to comply with the permit limit for particulate matter and for failing to maintain its coal breaker stack equipment in June of 2018,” said the Ministry.
It explained Teck had a pattern of non-compliance with the coal breaker stack tests.
From 2014 to 2019, five of 10 stack tests exceeded the permit limit. Exceedances were significant, ranging from 65 per cent to 252 per cent over the permit limit.
According to the Ministry, AMPs are discretionary financial penalties that can be administered with less onerous procedural and legal requirements than a court prosecution, making them an effective and efficient enforcement option.
“To date, 100 per cent of all Administrative Penalties have been paid,” said the Ministry.
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