Residents try to force well closures

Peace River families say bitumen plants are causing illnesses

Families living near Peace River who say they’ve been forced from their homes because of emissions and odours from nearby bitumen processing facilities have hired a lawyer to force the wells to close, in hopes they can return to their homes.

A letter was sent Wednesday to Baytex Energy Corp. from Keith Wilson, a St. Albert lawyer specializing in landowner rights, on behalf of seven members of the Labrecque families.

It demands Baytex shut in all of its facilities and associated bitumen wells no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 27.

The Calgary-based company is operating in an area known as the Reno Field, located about 32 kilometres south of Peace River.

According to the letter, Baytex operates 14 bitumen processing facilities and associated production wells that exposed the Labrecque families to high concentrations of emissions and odours.

Raw bitumen is pumped from directional wells. After the bitumen arrives at the surface, it is heated to high temperatures in large open-vented tanks, which releases a mixture of chemicals to the surrounding lands and residences, the letter states.

“My clients have found the interference to be so significant and acute that they have been unable to use their property and three of my clients with homes in the area have had to abandon their homes,” Wilson writes.

Wilson is representing Brian Labrecque, a landowner in the area, as well as Brian’s parents Michel and Leona, his cousins Alain and Karla, and his aunt and uncle Andy and Joyce, all of whom have left their homes.

In July, the Alberta Energy Regulator announced it will hold a public inquiry into residents’ concerns over hydrocarbon emissions in the Three Creeks and Reno areas near Peace River.