Nova Scotia introduces no-fracking bill, stirs up controversy
Posted Sep 30, 2014 12:02:23 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The provincial government introduced changes to the Petroleum Resources Act this morning, pushing forward with the ban on high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Nova Scotia.
Energy minister Andrew Younger said the bill will provide of peace of mind to Nova Scotians concerned about the effects of fracking.
“We’re putting in place the tools that make sure Nova Scotians can trust Nova Scotians when we talk about the development of our resources.”
Opposition leader Jamie Baillie said the province is closing the door to opportunity by not allowing fracking to take place.
“They’re banning new ways of creating jobs in Nova Scotia,” he said. “That’s what’s being banned today, and we have a big problem with that.”
The new no-fracking bill still leaves room for regulated testing and research, though, which NDP MLA Lenore Zann said she thinks may be a “loophole.”
“My question is, are these new research and testing opportunities going to open the way for fracking in this province?”
CEO of the Maritimes Energy Association Barbara Pike said the new fracking ban is going to make the province less attractive to potential investors.
“Say you have ten tools in your tool kit that you can use, and in Nova Scotia you can only use nine. Well, you’re going to invest your money where you can use all ten tools.”
Younger said fracking will not be allowed without a public debate.
