EnCana Charged With Wildlife Infraction in Alberta

    EnCana, Canada's biggest energy company, faces environmental charges after installing a gas pipeline in a southeastern Alberta wildlife area without a permit, the environment ministry said on Thursday. The charge stems from a March 2005 incident at the Canadian Forces Base Suffield National Wildlife Area, a region where EnCana has extensive natural gas operations, the ministry said in a statement. EnCana spokesman Alan Boras said crews installing the section of pipeline had tried to avoid a patch of wetland and inadvertently strayed into the wildlife area. A court date is set for Dec. 6 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Environment Canada wildlife investigator Larry Ottmann said the maximum fine is C$250,000 ($255,000).