More than 25,000 fracking wells scar the boreal forest of northeastern British Columbia. A vast labyrinth of pipelines, access roads, compressor stations, gas plants, wastewater ponds and flare stacks connects them. And one outlet to the Pacific Ocean is all that’s needed to spread countless more.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants proposed for the west coast would spark a fracking bonanza in the North Montney, a stretch of black spruce trees and winding rivers above a shale rockbed deep beneath the earth. These facilities would drive tens of thousands of new fracking wells into the area.
Fracking companies draw a staggering amount of freshwater from local lakes and rivers before mixing it with harmful chemicals to make frac fluid. They then blast that underground at extremely high pressures with silica sand to shatter open the rock and release the methane gas within. It’s far from a perfect process, though, and the poison water can leak from wells into aquifers while the extremely potent greenhouse gas spills into the atmosphere.
Oil and gas produces a fifth of BC’s carbon pollution, more than all other industries combined. Meanwhile, proposed LNG plants would more than double the sector’s pollution, require 18,000 new fracking wells and make it impossible for BC to meet its climate goals.
LNG companies claim their fracked gas exports will replace coal power in Asia but this is a communications strategy, not a climate one. More than 90 per cent of new global electricity came from renewable energy in 2020, and gas is fast becoming an extremely expensive back-up fuel that will soon be replaced with batteries.
Global gas production needs to fall three per cent every year through 2030 and beyond in order to maintain a safe climate. It’s time for BC to put an end to this destructive industry, starting with the enormous public giveaways fracking and LNG companies receive.
To join the movement to end fracking in British Columbia, sign the petition at EndFracking.ca and you'll receive a personalized digital action series with more ways to get involved.
We're also teaming up with our friends at Stand and Dogwood to launch FrackFreeBC, a broad-based alliance of individuals and organizations working to end fracking in the province. Get in touch to join our monthly organizing calls and find out where the next big action is near you!
Proposed LNG Plants and Fracked Gas Pipelines in BC - Jan 2024 Update
Proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Line Fracked Gas Pipeline Route and Other Proposed & Existing Fracking and LNG Infrastructure in BC
Fracking Companies Chart and Map
Below is a chart and map highlighting the largest fracking companies in British Columbia and where they operate. Nearly every one of them receives more money in drilling credits than they pay in taxes and royalties. There is also a map of current active fracking sites in the region.
Current active fracking sites in BC
Your much appreciated donation keeps this work going!
Get in on the action and make a difference!
Help spread the word!
