Nova Scotia puts hold on fracking
Posted Apr 17, 2012 01:41:35 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Nova Scotia government is putting a two-year hold on hydraulic fracturing, saying it needs more time to study the controversial oil and gas industry practice.
It has raised concerns about contamination of drinking water.
The government had planned to release a review of the industry this spring, but it announced yesterday that it will hold off until mid-2014.
Critics charge the idea is to get beyond the next election, a notion Premier Darrell Dexter dismisses.
“On this decision, I don’t think it really matters when there is an election. This is about doing a scientific review and coming up with the right decision on it, based on the science.”
Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau says no fracking will be approved during the extended review.
