Regina refinery expansion clears several approval hurdles
Expansion for Regina oil refinery clears first regulatory hurdles (John Weidlich/CBC)
A Regina oil refinery has obtained key approvals for a $1.9 billion expansion.
Regulators from the Saskatchewan Environment Ministry this week gave Federated Co-operatives Ltd. the OK to proceed with construction plans.
The refinery had successfully addressed concerns about air pollution, wastewater management and the protection of the area's underground aquifers.
The construction plan is aimed at boosting capacity at the plant by 30 per cent, to 130,000 barrels of oil per day.
The project also received a thumbs-up from the Regina Planning Commission, which vets development applications before forwarding recommendations to city council.
The commission's approval, which came on Wednesday, was conditional. It wants the plant to control sulphur smells associated with the operation and — similar to the requirements of the environment ministry — it wants water sources to be protected.
Ken MacKenzie, president of the nearby Uplands Community Association, said he supports those conditions.
"They got to make sure that they're doing everything they can to safeguard that," he told CBC News. "You know we got the refinery and we got the dump right over there. If there's anything that's going to go wrong, we're all in trouble."
Bud Van Iderstine, senior vice-president of refining at FCL, said he is happy the project is moving forward and added the company will respect the approval conditions.
"We're very conscious of the community around us," Van Iderstine said when asked about the regulatory requirements.
"The environmental and safety requirements that are built into everything, including our operation, are at the highest level."
Regina city council will consider the planning commission's recommendations next month.
Construction is to begin next year.
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