© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2024
In this edition of EcoNews, we debunk Premier Higgs’ claims about liquefied natural gas plant conversion, N.B.’s role in the European energy crisis, and we challenge his talk of ripping up the moratorium on shale gas fracking; we call on you for help with two actions you can take today—amplifying our call to keep shale gas in the ground and focus on developing non-polluting, renewable energy, and, the fight to end glyphosate spraying in our woods; and we bring you the exciting news about our community artist collective’s biggest show yet.
Let's Get Real About LNG, Shale Gas, and Energy Transition
To hear Premier Higgs tell it, New Brunswick can convert the Saint John liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to export, rip up the moratorium on shale gas fracking, and start shipping gas across the Bay of Fundy in time to help Germany and Europe through the energy crunch caused by the war in Ukraine. Reality, however, looks a lot different. In our rigorously researched and sourced briefing note and commentary, we challenge the premier’s claims and bring you the facts about the costs, timelines and human and environmental health risks associated with converting the Saint John LNG terminal—and what it could mean for the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick.
Add Your Voice To Amplify Our Call For Non-Polluting, Renewable Energy In N.B.
Unfortunately, this iconic ‘No Shale Gas’ mascot has come out of retirement amid Premier Higgs’ talk of dissolving the hard-fought moratorium on fracking. And, once again, groups and citizens are mobilizing to protect our drinking water, air, and climate. The Conservation Council has partnered with allies on a joint statement calling on Premier Higgs to abandon his plans to restart shale gas development across the province and to shift to what New Brunswickers want in their energy system: reliable, affordable and sustainable renewable power. You can help amplify our call right now by adding your name to our joint statement. Together, we can keep the gas in the ground and turn the page on fossil fuels in N.B.
Catch Wind Of It, Our Artist Collective's Biggest Show Yet, Comes To Saint John
After the first two stories we brought you, I think we’re all ready for a breath of fresh air. How about whimsical pinwheels and whirligigs crafted for social action? Our community artist collective, From Harm To Harmony, is back with its most inspiring show yet. Catch Wind Of It debuts at Saint John’s popular outdoor contemporary art festival, Third Shift, on August 19 and 20. Representing wind’s creative, transformative and kinetic qualities, each artist has created a functioning pinwheel/whirligig using their respective mediums (wood, metal, found objects, textiles, etc.) that will form a poetic pinwheel garden installation in uptown Saint John. Come see the finished works, meet the artists, and build your own whirligig at our on-site DIY workshop—we’ll supply the materials, you bring the inspiration.
Together, We Can Stop The Spraying And Bring In Forestry Reform
It’s true that, as you read this, New Brunswick forestry companies are spraying clearcuts with glyphosate-based herbicides—but momentum in the fight to end spraying in our woods is on citizens’ side. Consider this: Over the last few years, more than 8,000 New Brunswickers, including many of you, have used our letter-writing tool to call on the provincial government to ban spraying in the Crown forest—and in that time, we’ve seen: debates in the New Brunswick legislature about spraying; N.B. municipalities banning spraying around their communities and within their watersheds; multiple all-party, standing committee hearings devoted to the issue of glyphosate spraying; and, a legislative report calling for wider spray buffer zones around waterways and homes and which urged MLAs to recommend we reform forest management in N.B. toward ecological forestry. That’s just here in New Brunswick. Federally and around the world, more and more courts are standing up to protect citizens’ health in the face of this dangerous chemical. Our collective actions matter, and they add up. Help us keep the pressure on New Brunswick’s elected officials by sending your 2022 #StopSpraying letter today.
"I Am All For The Little Guy Being Able To Make A Living"
For the first time in roughly seven years—and after many calls for fairness from private woodlot owners—the provincial government has issued a temporary increase to the royalties it collects for trees harvested on Crown land. Minister Mike Holland also says his government will introduce legislation this fall to “create a fair market value” for timber on a monthly basis. In this article, our team speaks to an N.B.-based private contractor who welcomes the changes, urging the Minister to go even further in helping small-scale or independent woodlot owners make a good living from the woods again.
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in the New Brunswick print, radio and television media. Click the link below for the latest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary:
This edition’s media roundup includes interviews with our team on the LNG conversion proposal, shale gas fracking, energy efficiency supports for low- and middle-income New Brunswickers, and the need for an environmental bill of rights. It’s been a busy few weeks. Read all about it here.