For Immediate Release – March 15, 2018

 

Fracking review scope far too narrow

 

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Today’s announcement on British Columbia’s scientific review into fracking activities in the northeast corner of the province suggests this process will not provide the answers needed for the communities most at risk.

 

“Unfortunately, this government wants to sweep critical concerns about fracking under the rug,” said Wilderness Committee Climate Campaigner Peter McCartney. “These three scientists, while qualified in their fields, are unable to investigate the regulatory capture of the BC Oil and Gas commission and the implications for Indigenous rights.”

 

Last fall, 17 environmental, Indigenous and public health organizations called for the government to initiate a full public inquiry into fracking and its impacts in northeastern B.C. While it appears this pressure has led the province to announce this review, the concerns of these groups will not be addressed by this process.

 

“We have no faith that this panel will be able to come to conclusions about the regulatory capture and Indigenous rights violations that have taken place,” said McCartney. “Understanding the science is important but equally crucial is to uncover how the fracking industry has been given free reign to do whatever it wants in the northeast.”

 

Recent research has shown the industry has illegally built dozens of unlicensed dams to divert water from B.C. lakes and rivers in order to satisfy its immense thirst. It also reveals that government agencies knew about the issue but did not act until it was made public.

 

“It’s like the wild west up there for this industry but this government decides to give its review the narrowest scope possible to make sure the real dirt never gets out,” said McCartney. “They seem so keen to uncover sleazy activities in real estate or casinos but as usual the fossil fuel industry gets a pass.”

 

-30-

 

For more information, please contact:

Peter McCartney | Climate Campaigner, Wilderness Committee

778-239-1935, peter@wildernesscommittee.org