Did the people of Newfoundland and Labrador set themselves up to be frac’d by asking for an “independent” review of fracing? Will they get what citizens of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada got: recommendations to be used as lab rats?

Oil company hopes review will see through the politics of fracking issue by Gary Kean, August 14, 2014, The Western Star
While all those interested in the issue want to see a truly independent external review of hydraulic fracturing, the oil company that may want to use the process says the whole debate is already fueled by politics. Earlier this week, Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley announced the province is commissioning an independent external review of fracking.

David Murray is the chief executive officer of Black Spruce Exploration, the company which removed any plans to conduct fracking out of its operations in western Newfoundland before Dalley announced the moratorium last November. He said the average citizen may feel some sense of comfort about an independent review of fracking, but said a tanker truck full of gasoline hurtling down the highway is a bigger environmental threat than hydraulic fracturing done correctly. [When and where do companies do it correctly?]

“That truck full of fuel is 20 times more toxic than any type of hydraulic fracturing fluid,” said Murray. “That is more of a real issue in terms of contamination to the public than the red herring of hydraulic fracturing.”

Murray said independent [biased, frac-patent and industry controlled] reviews have already been done in other jurisdictions. They have led to fracking being permitted in England and California, which he says is the most regulated of any jurisdiction he has ever worked in. He noted the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States has studied some 1.1 million wells and has deemed fracking to be an industrially safe process. “I don’t mind if people want to have their own independent review,” said Murray. “It already is, as far as I’m concerned, politically motivated.”

For Murray, the real issue surrounding hydraulic fracturing should be the use of well casings. He said that is at the heart of nearly every contamination problem. The solution is relatively easy, according to Murray. [He sounds like Dr. Maurice Dusseault] Using double well casing will give the exploration company a backup that should prevent any contamination issue. [Rosebud got the same meaningless chatter, even after Encana perforated through the “backup” and frac’d into the community’s drinking water aquifers, intentionally, in secret, chemicals not yet disclosed]

In fact, he thinks using a double well casing should be a regulation for the industry. Even if it wasn’t, he said Black Spruce would employ the method as a best practice. [What protection is double, triple or quadruple casing when repeatedly perforated and frac’d?]

“This isn’t just my personal opinion,” he said. “This is what has been studied and studied and re-studied by each one of these other [industry controlled] jurisdictions.”

Murray hopes the independent review can be done without being swayed either way by the many political forces already pulling on it.

“We just want it based on science [frac-patent profit science?] and not based on a lot of political rhetoric, whether it be one way or the other,” said Murray. “Just look at the facts, please.”

Dalley’s announcement Monday came as candidates try to win support in a byelection in St. George’s-Stephenville East, an area where fracking is likely to occur if it ever allowed by the province.

Scott Reid, the Liberal candidate in the byelection, said he has heard concerns about fracking at the doors he’s knocked on and said the timing of the announcement was definitely a political move. The Liberals, as well as the New Democratic Party and various anti-fracking groups, had all been demanding an independent external review.

“It’s interesting it took a byelection to focus government’s attention and get them thinking this is the way they should be going as well,” Reid said Wednesday. “It seems this has all been done a little haphazardly.”

Reid has also joined the chorus of people now insisting the government release the results of its own internal review of fracking. “I think that it’s important people have access to that and be able to know what the results of that were,” said Reid. [Emphasis added]

Newfoundland and Labrador announces independent review into fracking by Turtle Island News, August 13, 2014
Newfoundland and Labrador is launching an external review into hydraulic fracturing after the results of an internal government analysis came back inconclusive. Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley says the information gathered through the internal review isn’t enough to make a final decision about fracking in the province. [Will the government appoint Frac Patent Holder Dr. Maurice Dusseault to Chair or sit on the review?]

Dalley says an independent panel of experts will now be tasked with examining the issue, specifically the industry’s potential impact in western Newfoundland. He says the panel will be charged with sharing information and receiving input from the public. [Emphasis added]

[Refer also to:

Whycocomagh MUST WATCH “Trust Us” Patronizing Propaganda; Nova Scotia Frac Panel Chair Dr. David Wheeler and member Dr. Maurice Dusseault: “Ordained” Conflicts of Interest? Who’s Next?

Harper government enabling the frac harm cover up? Environment Canada criticized for leaving fracking chemicals off pollutant list saying not enough frac chemicals used – 362,000 litres of diesel invert lost underground near Alberta family home

Why are Nova Scotians not demanding that frac patent holder Dr. Maurice Dusseault be removed from the frac panel, his paper where he pushes the Alberta Regulator as model be struck, and a formal apology issued to the public?

Nikiforuk: What’s Missing from Canada’s Academic Fracking Debate? “The Gritty Truth.” Qu’est-ce qui manque dans le débat sur la fracturation hydraulique au Canada?

“Who wants to be a lab rat?” More Guinea Pig recommendations by Canadian frac “experts,” Potential Socioeconomic Effects of Unconventional Oil and Gas in Nova Scotia Communities

Council of Canadian Academies Expert Frac Report: Avoids the truth and provides more questions than answers, Science to be determined after the fracs ]

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