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Green party says Alberta leaky pipeline parent company has dismal safety record

EDMONTON -- The federal Green party says the owner of a pipeline that leaked a massive amount of oil in northern Alberta has a dismal safety record in the United States.

Green Leader Elizabeth May says Plains All American, parent company of Plains Midstream Canada, was fined $3.25 million last year for 10 separate crude spills in the U.S.

May says the Houston-based corporation was also required to spend $41 million on pipeline upgrades in a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Rainbow pipeline owned by Plains Midstream Canada spilled 4.5 million litres of crude on April 29, prompting a nearby aboriginal community to close its school.

Company officials say they have fixed the leak, cleaned up some of the mess and are to meet with Lubicon First Nation leaders.

Alberta energy regulators have not indicated when they will allow the pipeline to reopen.

Officials with Plains All American and Plains Midstream Canada were not immediately available for comment.

Lubicon officials say the school remains closed.


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