NDP MHA’s petition urges caution in fracking
NDP Environment and Conservation Critic George Murphy (MHA, St. John’s East) says that in response to numerous requests, he has launched a petition urging government to think long and hard before permitting any fracking activity to take place in the province.
“There are concerns world-wide about the process of hydraulic fracturing in oil development,” said Murphy. “It only makes sense for government to slow down and ensure that our drinking water and environment are not endangered.”
Murphy is particularly concerned about chemicals that can find their way into drinking water. There are over 750 different chemicals that can be used in the fracking process, including chloroform, hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde.
Murphy, like the residents of the province who have asked for the petition, is concerned about how the chemicals are used, transported, stored, and disposed of.
"I am asking for government to put on the brakes," he said. "Let's hold off on allowing any fracking until we have comprehensive regulations, as New Brunswick has just announced.
“And when we have regulations, let’s insist on environmental assessments before we allow companies to make irreparable changes to our environment."
