Conflicting views pour in on province’s new fracking ban
Posted Sep 4, 2014 06:35:26 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The provincial government introduced a ban on high-volume hydraulic fracking, which, Energy Minister Andrew Younger said most Nova Scotians’ were simply just “not comfortable with,” and, whether it’s good or bad, the new ban is stirring up a lot of conversation — from both economists and ecologists.
The Ecology Action Centre’s Jennifer West said it’s a step forward for the environment.
“I think that this process has really shown that the people can organize, they are informed and educated and they are willing to take a stand for what they believe in,” she said. “This is a very complex and very long-term issue that the people of Nova Scotia felt it was extremely important that the government hear them on.”
But, New Brunswick premier, David Alward says it’s a step backward for the economy.
“If Nova Scotia is saying no to the development of our natural resources, including shale gas, then they are saying no to becoming a have economy and have province.”
According to Metro News, the expert panel Wheeler report says fracking in Nova Scotia could give a big boost to the economy — an estimated $1 billion per year, along with the creation of over one thousand new jobs.
Nova Scotia will introduce legislation this fall to ban high-volume hydraulic fracturing, but Younger said the Liberal government will be open to debate the ban at any time.
