NEW – Federal: The CPA engaging BakerRisk to study risk in support of our requested changes to Environmental Emergency Plan requirements

Currently, the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) regulations require environmental emergency plans (E2) that place burdensome requirements on the propane industry, as well as on some residences and small farms. The CPA is working to affect change to these requirements to better protect propane customers from the added costly measures.

On May 18, 2021, the CPA contracted consulting firm BakerRisk to conduct an “Impact evaluation of a potential vapor cloud explosion (VCE) at a propane storage facility” on risks and consequences for facilities to help prove that the current  thresholds forcing customers to submit an E2 plan to ECCC are too low. The CPA had learned about BakerRisk after reaching out to the industry’s sister organizations in the United States – the National Propane Gas Association and the Propane Education and Research Council.  BakerRisk had previously provided risk modelling for them that was different than the current TNT modelling.  The new modelling better reflects propane properties and could help support the CPA’s request to have ECCC change the requirements for E2 plans.

Once complete with input from members, the BaskerRisk study for the CPA will then be submitted to the ECCC E2 plans Advisory Working Group along with CPA requested changes to the current regulations. It is hoped these changes will be included in the next revision of the regulations.

The CPA will keep members apprised on study results. For additional information, please contact VP of Regulatory Affairs & Safety, Robert Loenhart at robertloenhart@propane.ca.