INEOS Styrolution is asking for a delay in a federal order to destock benzene from its Sarnia site.
In a statement released Saturday, the company said it has expressed safety concerns to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and is asking that sufficient time be given to in order to fulfil their request.
"ECCC has ordered us to empty all benzene from our tanks. This is not a routine procedure and requires meticulous planning," said Brian Lucas, an INEOS Styrolution representative in a release. "We must establish rigorous protocols, which need approval from multiple regulatory bodies. While we understand ECCC's urgency, we are clear: safety, not speed, must be the primary consideration."
The company reported elevated benzene levels on Friday as railcars were loaded with "off-spec material."
In Saturday's statement, INEOS complained about the federal restrictions that were implemented after repeated reports of increased benzene levels in the air of the neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
"(INEOS) has always operated within emissions limits set by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Despite significant investments to comply with increasingly stringent emissions limits, the Sarnia site is currently closed due to a sudden and without warning 90 per cent reduction in permissible emissions by MECP," read the statement from the international company that recently purchased 25 per cent of Manchester United for a reported £1.3billion. "The site will remain closed until INEOS can be sure to meet the dramatically reduced limits."
The company suggested they would delay tank cleaning activities until after the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Annual Pow Wow on June 22-23.
"We made this decision to be considerate of the AFN community and avoid any possible interruptions or safety concerns during their event. We are asking ECCC to grant the same consideration," said Lucas.