Canadian Province Finds Middle Ground in Shale Debate

Concerned citizens, government and industry (though without choice) seemed have reached an accommodation in the debate on shale gas development in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick.

New Brunswick recently issued new rules requiring industry to provide full disclosure of all proposed, and actual, contents of all fluids and chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process.

Industry must now also reveal test well water along exploration lines and near well sites to establish baseline measurements to ensure hydraulic fracturing doesn't contaminate drinking water and must establish a security bond to protect property owners from industrial accidents, including the loss of or contamination of drinking water, that places the burden of proof on industry.

The government moves have satisfied the concerns of citizens group that has been critical of shale gas exploration in New Brunswick and were calling for a moratorium on shale gas development.

Citizens for Responsible Resource Development head Bethany Thorne-Dykstra says her group has dropped its call for a moratorium on shale gas exploration in New Brunswick, choosing to back the provincial government's new regulations.

The group had circulated a petition requesting the provincial government enact those measures, traveling the province to hold town hall meetings and rally in front of local constituency offices of members of the provincial legislative.

Thorne-Dykstra said the government has met the demands of New Brunswickers.

We believe the government is now listening to our concerns and has demonstrated this in a very tangible way," she said. "The only recommendation they are not agreeing to is calling a moratorium until the regulations are implemented in full.

"We are willing to meet the government halfway by dropping our request for a moratorium."

Intriguingly, she spoke out against the activities of another group, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, accusing them of using American-style fear tactics and demonstrations to villainize the shale gas industry.

"There are many special interest and environmental groups in the province who have sensationalized this issue and only work on the emotional side," Thorne-Dykstra said. "The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has been going around the province showing the movie 'Gasland' to highlight a totally negative image of the shale gas industry using American-style fear tactics."

Canadian provinces have taken differing position on fracking and shale gas development, with British Columbia and Alberta allowing the controversial process, while Quebec and Nova Scotia have placed moratoriums on future development until stricter regulations are in place.

Energy Minister Craig Leonard has said shale gas in New Brunswick could be worth $150 million to $250 million a year in royalties to the province.