Delta South MLA to spend spring break investigating natural gas extraction concerns
Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington is not planning to put her feet up over the spring break vacation next week.
She is planning to put them on the ground in B.C.'s Peace Region and join fellow independent MLA Bob Simpson (Cariboo North) for a first-hand look at the issues surrounding unconventional natural gas development in the area.
At the forefront of concerns for the environment is a process called "fracking," shorthand within the oil and gas industry for hydraulic fracturing. It's is described as a process in which drillers blast water, sand and chemicals at high-pressure into sub-surface rock formations to create fractures that facilitate the flow of recoverable oil or gas.
“Modern fracking technology comes with the potential for environmental harm, but also for economic development," Huntington said in a press release. "We need a comprehensive and pre-emptive approach which assesses risk and cumulative impacts of fracking and ensures we have the right public policy and regulations in place to protect the environment and human health and safety.”
Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North will host the two MLAs on a portion of their tour and will be joining them in meetings with the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission and on a tour of the CCS waste disposal facility. In addition, they will meet with BC Hydro for a discussion of the proposed Site C dam.
Also planned is a visit to the Williston Reservoir where two pipelines have been approved to remove fresh water for fracking activities around Hudson's Hope.
"We hope the trip will give us a much deeper understanding of the processes involved, the economic benefits and the environmental and health implications associated with the extraction of B.C.'s shale gas resources so we can make recommendations to government on areas where public policy may need to be strengthened," said Simpson.
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