FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREDERICTON — Stephanie Merrill, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick’s Freshwater Protector Program Director, issued the following statement in response to the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission’s review that determined hydraulic fracturing activities triggered an earthquake in northeastern B.C. last year:
Now we have another piece of scientific evidence showing that fracking not only threatens our climate and our drinking water, but it can also break apart the very ground beneath our feet.
This latest scientific review is further proof that the moratorium placed on hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick last December was the right public policy decision at the right time.
The evidence showing the negative environmental and human health impacts caused by fracking has grown significantly since the moratorium was enacted, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s long-awaited report showing water contamination has occurred in the U.S., the New York State-wide ban on fracking based on its Department of Environmental Conservation’s report that cited harmful environmental and human health effects and a negative impact on the transition to a low-carbon energy system, and now the findings of the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission.
We are confident this latest scientific review will get the full attention of the province’s fracking commission and the Department of Environment.
We expect the province will now turn the page on fracking and begin developing a robust job creation strategy for New Brunswick based on the economic, health and environmental benefits of energy efficiency programming and renewable energy investments.
To arrange an interview, contact: Jon MacNeill, Communications Director, 458-8747 | 261-1353 | jon.macneill@conservationcouncil.ca