Fredericton, N.B. – The Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB) welcomed the Gallant Government’s decision to extend the fracking moratorium in New Brunswick.
Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arsenault responded to the Hydraulic Fracturing Commission’s February 26 report by announcing that the moratorium his government put in place in 2014 would be extended “indefinitely”.
Stating that it is clear that industry cannot meet the environmental protection conditions imposed by the Gallant Government, Minister Arsenault noted that the global market for natural gas “has seen a precipitous drop in prices making it unlikely that industry will invest the necessary efforts to address those conditions in the short to medium term.”
Lois Corbett, CCNB’s Executive Director, responded to this morning’s announcement:
“Today, New Brunswick joins jurisdictions all around the world in making the right decision, to move beyond fracking and turns our energy toward developing sectors that protects the environment. It’s good public policy that puts protecting our water first and foremost.”
Corbett went on to state: “It seems apparent to me that the government reviewed the recommendations from the Commission in a fair and balanced way. It used the evidence it had from scientists and the public, to help inform its decision.”
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Media Contact: Mike Girard, 1 (506) 999-6431, mike.girard@conservationcouncil.ca
Read the Conservation Council’s analysis of the Commission’s report here.