Turner Valley Gas Plant - Officials to address gas plant

Questions over a controversial historical landmark in Turner Valley, fraught with environmental problems, will be addressed at a public meeting Nov. 20.
Representatives from Alberta Community Development (ACD) and Alberta Infrastructure will be on hand between 2:30 pm and 5 pm and again between 6 pm and 8 pm to discuss the clean up of the Turner Valley Gas Plant site.
Bill Strickland, communications advisor for ACD, the owners of the site, said the plan to deal with the contaminated site will be laid out at the open house.
“There will be information displays on the plant’s history, pending plans for the site and the work that is underway,” Strickland said.
Currently mercury found in four buildings and in soil is being removed. The mercury cleanup is expected to cost $260,000. The next step will be to protect the Sheep River from potentially toxic contaminants, such as hydrocarbons.
Officials from Alberta Infrastructure, Environment and Community Development are currently working on a plan to divert the Sheep River and build a containment wall in order to stop contaminants from leaching into the water.
Strickland said other provincial representatives may be on hand, including Alberta Environment officials.
The provincial government recently rededicated $1.5 million towards reclamation work at the site. Some residents have expressed concerns that the gas plant poses a public health risk.


By Darlene Casten
Staff Reporter
from, the OKOTOKS WESTERN WHEEL, November 12, 2003