Hydro-Fracking

Submitted by Robert Holmes-Lauder, Saint John Federal Green Party Association

            We are very alarmed that the process of hydro fracking to release natural gas from underground rock structures is being permitted and seems set to expand in New Brunswick with the rush by companies to explore and develop possible natural gas sites.

            Hydro fracking involves the pumping of large volumes of water laced with chemicals deep underground.  This puts the aquifer, people’s wells and community water supplies at risk of contamination.

            Assurances from companies involved with exploration and production of natural gas who claim the frack-water mixture will be pumped into a deep geological layer far below the water table and remain there are not good enough.  Fracking presents a huge long-term, ongoing risk for extensive groundwater contamination.

            Clean, potable groundwater is a precious resource and will only become more so in the future.  We all must do whatever we can to protect and preserve it.  South of the border in Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado and Wyoming, drilling and hydro fracking operations have led to groundwater contamination affecting communities and people’s health.

            The State of New York has placed a moratorium on gas exploration and fracking in the Marcellus shale until a full environmental assessment is conducted.

            Our New Brunswick government should and must take similar action here by placing a moratorium on any further drilling and fracking until a full and comprehensive environmental impact assessment is completed.