Energy companies must fulfil their environmental obligations before paying back creditors in the case of insolvency or bankruptcy, Canada's Supreme Court has ruled... ATB Financial's chief executive... said he was not disappointed with the Supreme Court decision, but doesn't regret challenging the law in the first place. "It was important for us to get clarity on what the interpretation of the law was, to ensure that we could have the right approach in balancing the environment and the economics," said Stange in an interview with CBC News. "ATB will  will continue to support the energy industry."... Both large and small energy companies are happy with the decision. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says it believes the judgment restores the balance between environmental obligations and creditor interests.

... "This is good news for landowners, taxpayers and the environment," said Keith Wilson, a lawyer who represents landowners with oil and natural gas wells on their properties... "The concept of polluter pays is alive and well in Canada."