Petition to impose a moratorium on slickwater fracking

***UPDATE***
On November 4, 2013, the provincial government announced that it "will not be accepting applications for onshore and onshore to offshore petroleum exploration using hydraulic fracturing. This measure provides an opportunity for government to undertake a balanced review of regulations, rules and guidelines in other jurisdictions; to complete the technical work necessary to fully assess the geological impact in Western Newfoundland; and, following this process, to undertake public engagement to ensure that our residents have an opportunity to comment and are fully informed before any decision is made."

George Murphy says that while this is a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done. He encourages concerned citizens to continue their vigilance and to continue engaging with their MHAs about the issue. He invites people to call his office to discuss the issue and any developments during the coming months.

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NL NDP Environment and Conservation Critic George Murphy, MHA for St. John's East, is circulating a petition calling on the House of Assembly to impose a moratorium on the use of slickwater fracking as a method of oil and gas extraction.

Interested members of the public are invited to contact George's office, and are welcome to circulate the petition and collect signatures.

DOWNLOAD THE PETITION

Email: georgemurphy@gov.nl.ca
Phone: 709-729-3651
Fax: 709-576-1443

Postal Address:
Confederation Building
3rd Floor, East Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL
A1B 4J6

The text of the petition is as follows:

FRACKING MORATORIUM PETITION

TO THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED the petition of the undersigned residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Humbly Sheweth;

Whereas the process of slickwater hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” injects hazardous chemicals into rock formations to extract oil, and is polluting groundwater and air across North America; and

Whereas the Government of Canada has commissioned an assessment of the potential environmental impacts of shale oil and gas extraction in Canada, including fracking; and

Whereas Quebec, Nova Scotia and a number of U.S. states have halted fracking, and others are introducing regulations specific to fracking; and

Whereas it is incumbent upon the provincial government to ensure that our natural environment is protected from harmful industrial processes;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to urge Government to impose a moratorium on slickwater fracking until it develops comprehensive regulations and ensures that each proposed project undergoes a conclusive environmental assessment to determine whether it is safe for the environment, the integrity of water supplies and human health.

And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.