The following appeared as a letter to the editor in the Oct. 2 issue of the Fredericton Daily Gleaner, from Stephanie Merrill, Director of Freshwater Protection.
Review shows fracking moratorium was right
Recently the media reported on a review conducted by the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission which concluded that hydraulic fracturing was the cause of an earthquake in that province last year.
This latest review is another piece of scientific evidence showing that fracking not only threatens our drinking water and our climate, but it can also break apart the very ground beneath our feet.
It’s also further proof that the moratorium placed on hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick last December was the right public policy decision at the right time.
The evidence showing the negative environmental and human health impacts caused by fracking has grown significantly since the moratorium was enacted, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s long-awaited report showing water contamination has occurred in the U.S., the New York State-wide ban on fracking (based on its Department of Environmental Conservation’s report that cited harmful environmental and human health effects and a negative impact on the transition to a low-carbon energy system), and now the findings of the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission.
We are confident this latest scientific review will get the full attention of the commission tasked with reviewing the conditions of our moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
We can turn the page on fracking and begin developing a robust job creation strategy for New Brunswick based on the economic, health and environmental benefits of energy efficiency programming and renewable energy technology.
Stephanie Merrill
Conservation Council of New Brunswick.