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EDMONTON — The Alberta government has charged an energy company for a massive 2011 oil pipeline spill that fouled land in the northwestern part of the province.

Plains Midstream Canada faces three charges under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

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The April 2011 breach, about 95 kilometres northeast of Peace River, caused 4.5 million litres of oil to spill onto the land, closed a school in the nearby community of Little Buffalo and created health problems for people in the area.

The charges allege the company released a substance that could cause significant adverse effects, failed to contain the spill and failed to properly dispose of the oil.

In February, Alberta’s energy regulator was sharply critical of Plains Midstream for the spill.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board cited the company for not properly digging the pipeline, inadequate operating and maintenance procedures, inadequate leak detection and failing to test its emergency response plan.