The shale gas industry remains a particularly controversial topic across the province.
The New Brunswick Anti – Shale Gas Alliance is reminding the public of what it calls the “proven health risks” of oil and gas extraction.
Jim Emberger (pictured right) is a spokesman for the group, and he says one of the biggest problems is a lack of understanding on the subject, for example, the differences between water and propane fracking.
“While the use of propane gel reduces the volume of water required,” says Emberger. “It still injects a mix of toxic chemicals into the ground and potentially into aquifers and still vents toxic gases including methane into the atmosphere.”
Emberger says any kind of fracking is harmful to public health and contributes to climate change.
He’s also demanding the Gallant Government continue to support the moratorium on shale gas exploration and development until it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt the industry is not a health risk.
Liane Thibodeau is a member of the “Hampton Water First” group and she says a focus on clean energy and technology is a win-win for everyone because of a healthier environment, and an increase in jobs in a new, growing sector.
“If we pursued making every building in our province energy efficient,” says Thibodeau. “We would see significant gains and improvements to our fiscal situation and we would see significantly more people employed in this province.”
Thibodeau says a recent report shows a 25 billion dollar investment in clean energy across Canada has increased jobs by 37% with more people now working in clean energy than in the tar sands.
Both Emberger and Thibodeau emphasize the clean energy sector is an opportunity for New Brunswick to increase jobs and revenue without destroying the environment we must all live in.
