By Guest Blogger,
posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
By John Conrad, Senior Hydrogeologist & President, Conrad Geoscience Corp.
Over the next several weeks the BAPE - Quebec's environmental
public hearing authority - has scheduled deliberations on the
development of shale gas in the Province. The government is very
interested in learning how this energy resource can be safely
developed, and many Quebecers as well would like to learn more.
The BAPE is asking for expert testimony on current shale gas
extraction practices employed by the natural gas industry in the
United States. As a hydrogeologist with more than 20 years of
experience in New York, I've worked on many aspects of shale gas
development in the Appalachians, and I've spent a good deal of time
speaking with the public and civic leaders about technical and
environmental aspects of shale gas production. I plan to attend the
BAPE hearings and make myself available to answer questions about
the experience we've had in the Marcellus region of New York and
Pennsylvania.
While the Utica Shale in Quebec may differ in some respects from
the Marcellus Shale, we do know that development of natural gas in
Canada can provide substantial economic and environmental
benefits.
As in the U.S., natural gas is a significant driver of Canada's
economy and supported nearly 600,000 Canadians jobs in 2008 while
contributing $106 billion to the nation's GDP. Every Canadian
province has natural gas-supported jobs, and those with no current
production still directly support the gas industry with jobs in
distribution, pipeline transportation, upstream support and
construction. In fact, a recent study shows that natural gas has a
greater relative impact in Canada than the U.S., accounting for 3.5
percent of Canadian jobs and 6.7 percent of Canada's GDP.
Jobs and economic growth are important. So is the health of our
environment. Here, too, natural gas is a key part of a cleaner
energy future. It complements the development of renewables and
offers a far cleaner option for transportation, electricity
generation and home heating than other widely used fuels.
I am confident from my experience in the U.S. that shale gas can
be extracted without harm to water resources and the environment.
The U.S. EPA, the Ground Water Protection Council and the
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission have all studied
hydraulic fracturing and found no threat to the environment and
public health, and industry continues to find ways to improve its
practices and minimize impacts. Continued strict adherence to safe
practices and meticulous oversight by regulatory agencies will
ensure safe and responsible natural gas development.
Because misperceptions persist, I know how important it is for
our neighbors to the north to have facts and complete information
about shale gas development in Quebec. My hope is that the experts
at these hearings - myself included - will be able to answer the
public's questions and promote greater understanding of natural gas
operations so the Province can reap the full benefits of this
abundant and homegrown energy resource.