 Alward unwavering in shale gas position | [] Premier David Alward is not shifting his government's position on shale gas exploration despite three days of blockades and protests around the province. Demonstrators crowded into the lobby of the Centennial Building, the main government office building in Fredericton, on Thursday demanding to speak with Alward. Alward was not in the city so Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup addressed the crowd [] |
I had seen this article posted on Cbc news about a week ago and it had me thinking. There are many economical benefits from harvesting gas in New Brunswick but at what cost? My biggest concern is the drinking water and pollution. As with almost every major industrial venture in this province, health and environment seem to come last. A perfect example of that is with hydro-fracking.
Look, most of New Brunswick is rural. That means most of us rely on well water. Even the slightest disturbance from within a few miles away can affect our drinking water. Then what? Who repairs these damaged wells? What happens if clean water is no longer available on that property after all is said and done? Who pays to move the home-owners and pays off their mortgage? Nobody.
This is not the first time people have lost their livelihoods in New Brunswick over business ventures such as these. A perfect example is in Chipman, NB where many moons ago there was a brick plant that over the years made some of the water around here nearly undrinkable. Is gas the next environmental issue? Who knows. Only time will tell but I do believe our government should be held accountable to look at ALL possible sides of exploration and before exploration and harvesting of said gas is allowed, there should be funds put in place to protect home owners should the worst happen.
It plain sickens me that they are being so mum about the issue and not allowing themselves to be held accountable by the very people who put them in power. I fully support the protests involved with this issue until a proper resolve, contingency plan for protection is put in place and officials involved start answering to the very people who live in this province. I however do not support any property damage done to equipment not any endangering actions towards the workers involved. There are better ways.
Watch this hydro-fracking video for a 'worse case scenario' example.
It is best to view the video in full-screen or view the original
It is best to view the video in full-screen or view the original
What are your thoughts? If this worse case scenario happened here would it destroy Grand Lake? Would it destroy all our drinking water? Are you willing to move to protect your family and also willing to pay two mortgages and a double-tenant tax if this happens?
There is a Hydraulic Fracking Information Session being held at the Chipman Heritage Center on the 28th of August 2011 at 2:00PM. I highly suggest that anyone who has the ability SHOULD attend this!
Our government needs to admit accountability before any explorations and must put protection clauses in place, both financial and health related, before we as a people can accept this activity in our own back yards. To those who live in the cities, this will never affect you but be warned, do you want 100,000 angry people moving next door to you and your vacation favorites destroyed?? Lets face it, they would never frack next to Magic Mountain would they? Of course not..
