Im not comforted by Brian Gallants stumbling about hydraulic fracturing . Is he in any position to make a decision about it? GRANDE-DIGUE • Liberal Leader Brian Gallant says other methods besides hydraulic fracturing could be used to extract shale gas in New Brunswick under a Liberal government. The comments come a day after Gallant said that a Liberal moratorium on hydraulic fracturing would still allow shale gas companies to drill wells and continuing on with exploration programs, as long as it didn’t involve the controversial practice. Gallant was questioned further on the party’s shale gas stance on Friday, specifically about propane as an extraction method. That question is of particular importance because Corridor Resources – which operates 30 natural gas wells in the region – is on the verge of expansion and has used propane to fracture wells. Corridor Resources is spending $25 million this summer to further develop its shale gas reserves in New Brunswick and is close to moving on a $150-million project that would see the company drill a series of new wells in an effort to bring its operations to full commercialization. The company has plans to use the propane process further, which it has said will minimize its use of water and production of waste water for disposal. Gallant made the comments after casting his vote in the 2014 provincial general election at a polling station in Grande-Digue. The red campaign bus departed from Dieppe on Friday morning for the riding of Shediac Bay-Dieppe, where Gallant is running for a seat in the legislature. “There are some people who have concerns,but we have made it very clear that our government would put a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing,”Gallant said.“Other methods could be used, but they have to be proven to be safe.” Asked if propane is an alternative method, Gallant said he is unaware of what other methods shale gas companies are using to extract the resource. “I’m not going to profess to say that I know what the companies are using at this moment, but I can tell you there is going to be a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing,”Gallant said. He was then asked to define“hydraulic”fracturing. “I ask that you start to ask some geologists some of the questions because you have to understand there is process in which even within exploration you can have some hydraulic fracturing that happens,” Gallant said.“Again, I’m not an expert in this field, but what I have made very clear to operations, existing and future, and to all New Brunswickers, is that under a Liberal government there will be a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.” Annie Daigle, a geological engineer and a hydrogeologist who is the executive director with the New Brunswick Energy Institute said on Friday in an email that the use of propane in extracting shale gas is considered hydraulic fracturing. “Generally speaking, fracturing with propane is still considered by industry to be hydraulic fracturing,” Daigle said. “The propane is compressed to a liquid state prior to being used in the hydraulic fracturing process. The propane reverts to a gas state during the fracturing process before returning to surface.” Progressive Conservative Leader David Alward alleged that Gallant is shifting his stance on shale gas development in New Brunswick. “I’m a little perplexed at best,”Alward said of Gallant’s words on Friday. “His message seems to change depending on which part of New Brunswick, which city, he happens to be in.” “If he is naïve enough to think the companies are going to come and invest millions of dollars in exploration when at the same time he has a moratorium on them being able to develop the industry, he’s a lot more naïve then I ever thought he was.” “He knows he’s got huge problems. He’s tried to change his message. The reality is leadership is about having a clear vision, a clear message. Brian Gallant, his message is not clear. The private sector will not invest in New Brunswick, will not come to New Brunswick, with a moratorium.” Gallant has maintained that he has remained consistent on his party’s plans for a moratorium. New Democrat Leader Dominic Cardy chimed in on Friday that propane could be safer but that scientific data should ultimately decide. “As a layman who’s probably read more fracking reports than most people, I’ve certainly heard that propane is safer,” Cardy said. “But at the same time, I’m still a layman, and so is everyone else in this campaign. “I’m not aware of any geologists or scientists who are running, so what we want to do is set up an independent Human Health and Environmental Protection Agency and let scientists look at the science and give an informed opinion based on the best interests of the province.” Green party Leader David Coon said shale gas development is more than a scientific decision. “Science cannot by itself render a decision on the acceptability of shale gas extraction,” Coon said.“It comes down to a judgment rooted in our values. “The Green party has taken a clear position on shale gas given the known consequences, the quantitative and qualitative risks already well understood, the level of uncertainty about the long-term risks,and our values as clearly articulated in our charter of principles.” Coon added: “The other parties are using science as a dodge.” People’s Alliance Leader Kris Austin said Gallant’s words leave questions. “The biggest question I have for Mr. Gallant is does his moratorium apply to current leases or new leases only?”Austin said on Friday. “It’s a big factor because most available leases are secured. “If (it applies) to current leases, then yes, that will no doubt open us up to lawsuits – leases the Liberals signed when they were in power, no less. If future leases, then the moratorium doesn’t mean squat.” Gallant also addressed on Friday the future of seismic testing under a Liberal hydraulic fracturing moratorium. “Seismic testing, you have to understand, can be used in other industries,” he said in French.“We have to be careful not to say we won’t use that for mining projects, for example. “For us it’s the hydraulic fracturing process as an extraction process that would have a moratorium” Asked to clarify further, Gallant said seismic testing could be subject to a moratorium in some instances. “It depends. Obviously if there’s hydraulic fracturing happening or will be happening because of that, there’s going to be a moratorium, but if the seismic testing for a project like mining, it will be possible,”Gallant said.“I want to be clear there are several different types of extraction.”
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:41:52 +0000
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