Environmental, Health and Safety Risk
Enbridge’s operations, facilities and petroleum product shipments are subject to extensive environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things: discharges to air, land and water; the handling and storage of petroleum compounds and hazardous materials; waste disposal; the protection of employee health, safety and the environment; and the investigation and remediation of contamination.
Enbridge’s facilities could experience incidents, malfunctions or other unplanned events that could result in spills or emissions in excess of permitted levels and result in personal injury, fines, penalties or other sanctions and property damage. We could also incur liability in the future for environmental contamination associated with past and present activities and properties. The facilities and pipelines must maintain a number of environmental and other permits from various governmental authorities in order to operate and these facilities are subject to inspection from time to time. Failure to maintain compliance with these requirements could result in operational interruptions, fines or penalties, or the need to install potentially costly pollution control technology.
Compliance with current and future environmental laws and regulations, which continue to become more stringent over time, including those governing GHG emissions, may impose additional capital costs and financial expenditures and affect demand for our services, which could adversely affect operating results and profitability. Restrictions on other resources, such as water or electricity, may affect Enbridge’s upstream customers’ ability to produce. As well, Enbridge could be targeted, along with the oilsands industry, by environmental groups wanting to draw attention to the environmental impacts of oilsands production.
Enbridge is committed to protecting the health and safety of employees, contractors and the public, and to sound environmental stewardship. We believe that prevention of incidents and injuries and protection of the environment benefits everyone and delivers increased value to shareholders, customers and employees. Enbridge has health, safety, and environmental management systems, and has established policies, programs and practices for conducting safe and environmentally sound operations. Enbridge conducts regular reviews and audits to assess compliance with legislation and internal policies.