It’s not you, fracking. It’s us. The province just isn’t ready for that kind of commitment right now, says Energy Minister Andrew Younger, who today announced Nova Scotia will introduce legislation in the fall to prohibit hydraulic fracturing.
“Nova Scotians have overwhelmingly expressed concern about allowing high volume hydraulic fracturing to be a part of onshore shale development in this province at this time," Younger wrote in a Dear John letter. "Our petroleum resources belong to Nova Scotians, and we must honour the trust people have put in us to understand their concerns. We will therefore introduce legislation to prohibit using this technique to stimulate onshore shale projects."
Less than a week ago, the comprehensive industry expert Wheeler panel report recommended copious more study was needed before agreeing to go steady with fracking. Younger’s comments today suggest the Liberal government would rather break the petroleum industry’s heart quickly, instead of not returning their texts and phone calls until they get the message. It’s like ripping off a band-aid.
Still, it’s a day of celebration for the many vocal opponents of fracking in Nova Scotia, including Robin Tress of the Ecology Action Centre which has long advocated to DTMFA.
“Today couldn't have gone much better than it did,” says Tress. “It’s exciting the government is listening, but it’s more exciting that people are speaking.”
Still Tress isn’t getting her hopes up too high until she sees the specifics of what the Liberals will introduce.
“We don’t know what this legislation is yet, because it doesn’t exist yet.” she says. “But it’s a great relief off our shoulders.”
It’s been a contentious summer in Nova Scotia of protests, public meetings and vocal criticism of both the Wheeler panels and the fracking industry as a whole. Younger’s statements today say the government heard that chorus of shouts, as well as consulted with Mi’kmaq community elders in coming up with today’s decision. That’s befitting the Wheeler report, which stressed involving landowners and First Nations communities in the decision that would directly affect them.
The government also reiterated its open to hooking up with other energy projects in the future.
“Petroleum development remains an important part of our energy and economic future,” writes Younger. “Developing our offshore resources remain key priorities of government.”
Whether this is a coy attempt at playing hard-to-get remains to be seen. Until then, we’ll always have this summer, fracking...
