ENGOs are furious they didn’t get what they want. The Wilderness Committee immediately sent out a press release declaring victory in their own “Dewey Defeats Truman” moment

“The provincial government finally released its “Scientific Review of Hydraulic Fracturing in British Columbia” and it’s good news for people in the natural gas business”, stated Danielle Harris of Together 4 LNG.

Earlier this month, columnist Les Leyne managed to get a hold of a preview copy of a long-awaited government report on BC’s LNG industry. The report, commissioned in March 2018 to fulfill an NDP election promise and placate environmental groups, has now been officially released.

Harris went on to say, “It’s pretty much what we expected and wrote about in a previous newsletter. BC isn’t about to kill the natural gas industry.  In fact, it’s giving it a green light.”
 

Government of BC Media Release:  March 19th

An independent scientific review of hydraulic fracturing in British Columbia has found the regulatory framework to be robust, while also identifying areas for improvement.

The three-member independent scientific panel submitted its final report, Scientific Review of Hydraulic Fracturing, to Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, on Feb. 20, 2019. The scientific panel makes 97 recommendations, primarily focused on addressing knowledge gaps and concerns regarding environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing.

Over the last 18 months, government has implemented a number of changes to strengthen the regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry. Much of this work addresses concerns raised by the scientific panel.

Environmental groups sulk

“ENGOs are furious they didn’t get what they want. The Wilderness Committee immediately sent out a press release (likely written months ago by someone who’s never travelled farther north than Whistler) declaring victory in their own “Dewey Defeats Truman” moment”, Danielle Harris went on to say.

Their bizarro-world headline, she continue, declared: “Provincial report proves fracking not worth the risk,” declares.

Some environmental groups really think British Columbians are stupid. They don’t think people will look farther than their fake headline to read the report for themselves. They don't WANT people to read it, and don't even provide a link to the document.

“They’re so hopelessly wrong about BC’s industry that few people are bothering to listen to them anymore. The report actually proves fracking IS worth the risk, as long as it’s done carefully and according to the best available science, and that's worth sharing.”

Government of BC Media Release: March 19th

The BC Oil and Gas Commission has created a new process to make sure commission-regulated oil and gas dams in B.C. are operating with appropriate permits.

The commission has put in place new procedures to ensure all dams and water storage structures used in oil and gas development are properly licensed and safe for use.

In May 2018, government took action to address the growing number of inactive and orphaned well sites by passing Bill 15, amendments to the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

Longer term, the BC Oil and Gas Commission is working closely with Indigenous communities within Treaty 8 in developing culturally appropriate restoration practices. A pilot project is underway with Fort Nelson First Nations and there are discussions underway with Saulteau and Doig River.

The commission is also working with local First Nations within Treaty 8 on the installation of additional hydrometric stations that will assist in improving the Northeast water tool — a geographic-information-system-based hydrology tool used as part of the water-use decision process.

The commission and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources have consultation agreements with most Treaty 8 First Nations. Capacity funding is provided to First Nations to support them in their review of oil and gas activity applications.

Gas extractors already way ahead of the game

In fact, the report points out, BC’s industry players have already shown they can satisfy any (realistic) concerns government and the public can bring up. One of the biggest concerns with hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is the amount of freshwater used to do it, and BC’s already figured that out.

Harris stated the reports Executive summary reads, “Pressures caused by this need for freshwater has led to research successes in the recycling of wastewater for hydraulic fracturing, which has quickly, and significantly, reduced fresh water needs”.

“This one advancement presents a significant step-change in reducing key concerns regarding water quality.”

Well, there it is. Freshwater usage is Greenpeace’s number one concern with natural gas fracking and BC has already dealt with it. We’re miles ahead of the competition and we’ve barely started moving.

When faced with environmental challenges, BC’s natural gas industry can quickly step up and solve them, and this is significant proof that natural gas, and LNG, can have a bright future in this province.

Scientists draw industry a map

“The report goes on to talk about research, research, and more research. In fact, the report uses the word “research” 193 times in 236 pages. It’s clear the scientists who wrote the report want the industry, and government, to do more research while they carefully manage and grow the industry”, Harris stated before concluding:

“They even draw us a map. Here are the last few sentences from the executive summary, which are not to be missed”.

“A ‘By British Columbia for British Columbia’ strategic research partnership would be well placed to foster relationships between regulator, industry, First Nations, and the public. Ultimately, best-practice regulations founded on a body of peer-reviewed science can be used to inform the regulatory framework that protects the environment without unnecessarily encumbering development, while providing confidence to the public that the province’s resources are being developed responsibly.”

Industry needs to take the lead and put together some kind of research partnership that involves everyone on the scientists’ list here. Regulators. Industry reps. First Nations reps. Public reps. And scientists, of course. The full report has some detailed suggestions and even some specific examples how to get started.

The light is green, so let's go!