The Alberta New Democratic Party raised red flags about the government’s approach to shale gas production this week, based on leaked documents that appear to show decisions have already been made.
The documents were leaked to the NDP and include a briefing note that was destined for the minister of the environment. The NDP alleges it proves the government is working with industry to sell the public on the shale gas industry.
Shale gas is gas that is locked deep in underground rock formations and companies use hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to bring it to the surface. Fracking involves injecting water, chemicals and sand deep underground, to free the gas.
The process has raised concerns in other provinces and American states about groundwater contamination and other environmental concerns.
The government entered into a grouping called the New West Partnership with British Columbia and Saskatchewan in December 2010. One of the group’s aims was to help deal with some of the issues around shale gas and come up with common solutions.
The charter agreement suggests the partnership has already decided to promote shale gas regardless of the risks.
“This project will help to demonstrate that shale gas extraction is viable, safe and environmentally sustainable,” the document reads.
NDP critic Rachel Notley said this is a very worrying sign.
“The concern is that the Conservative government has already made decisions about the safety of shale gas,” she said.
The briefing note suggests the government will have to sell the idea of shale gas and fight misperceptions.
“Shale gas environmental concerns in the media and in the public in other jurisdictions are potentially problematic for energy development and environmental management in Alberta.”
The document also states the charter does not intend to do more research on the environmental safety of fracking.
Notley said that shows twisted government priorities.
“What these documents show is that the government is at least as concerned about manipulating and managing public opinion around the issue of the environmental concern around fracking than actually figuring out what the safety levels are.”
The briefing note also mentions that the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers have approached the government about coming up with a common approach to public relations on the issue, but said the government is still considering the idea.
The charter does list the organization as a stakeholder that needs to be consulted when the government develops policy.
Erin Carrier, a spokesperson for the ministry of environment, said the NDP was quoting selectively from the document.
She also emphasized the briefing was just a proposal.
“It was a draft briefing note that hadn’t even gone to our minister yet,” she said. “It is a proposal for jurisdictions to work together.”
Notley said she is deeply concerned about the amount of water fracturing could use.
“In northeastern B.C., where this type of fracking has been used, the oil companies have been licensed to use the same amount of water that is used by the city of Vancouver every year, so that is how much water we are talking about.”
Jay O’Neil, a spokesperson for the energy department, stressed that the project charter was also very much at the draft level.
“The project charter is still at the level of working public officials.”
He also stressed the government leaves regulation of the industry in the hands of the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB).
He said fracking technology has been used in Alberta for decades and has been done safely.
“There has not been one case of contaminated groundwater that has been linked to fracking.”
The Gazette was unable to reach the ERCB before press deadline.
