Hawkins says economic development committee not consulted on fracking
Ramsay dismisses allegation, says he's met with group 'many times', has gotten 'useful feedback'
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Monday, May 11, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The territorial government's Standing Committee on Economic Development is asking for more time to review and discuss proposed territory fracking regulations handed down by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Husky Energy Inc., whose 2006 drilling and testing program in the Sahtu Summit Creek region is pictured, had applied for a hydraulic fracturing permit in the Sahtu but pulled its application a year ago. As of now, there are no active applications to frack in the NWT. - photo courtesy of Husky Energy Inc. |
Committee chair Robert Hawkins said his group was not involved in drafting the new rules, despite Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay's claims to the contrary.
"Somewhere along the line the minister said, 'OK I'm in charge of the issue, I'm doing the research on the issue," Hawkins said.
"We felt like we had to step up and say, 'No, this is not driven by us."
Hawkins told News/North since the territory currently does not have any fracking applications in the works, this is an opportune time to get more public feedback and have discussions with experts on what this drilling could mean for the environment and for Northern communities.
"The regulations have been designed around how to frack, not should we frack," he said.
"It's a discussion of how people feel ... what they're willing to put on the line, whether they feel the risks are there or not ... an economic balance of opportunity verses the risks."
Hawkins emphasized not enough consultation and education has been done throughout the territory and expects the topic to come up during the election this fall.
"I can definitely say as a committee chairman it's going to be an election issue, whether we want it or not," he said.
In an e-mail statement to News/North, Ramsay said he had met with the standing committee a number of times and took members with him on the road to see how fracking is managed in other jurisdictions.
"The feedback the government has received from (the committee) has been very useful in shaping our approach to managing this technique," he said. "We will continue to look to committee and regular MLAs for input and feedback as we work to grow our economy and protect the NWT environment."
Hawkins says he expects the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment will likely return its consultation document on the regulations and send it to the committee for review. At that point they committee will provide some recommendations, but what they will be he isn't sure.
"From a committee point of view we're not ready to make a recommendation right now and we haven't been."
Ramsay was in Houston, Texas last week attending the Offshore Technology Conference and spoke to News/North during a conference call. Throughout the week, Ramsay said he met with companies interested in opportunities related to oil and gas development in the NWT. He said investors are still very interested in arctic development and his department will be examining work being done in Alaska as a guide for moving forward in the territory.
"Shell is planning to drill in the Chukchi Sea this summer ... they've got a partnership arrangement with the Inupiat in Northern Alaska," he explained. "Community corporations have come together to work with Shell on that opportunity so that was interesting to hear."
When asked about the importance of gaining public favour when it comes to the Northern oil and gas industry, Ramsay said devolution has provided a unique opportunity for communities to really benefit from resource development.
"We are managing resources in NWT and driving revenue from those resources and sharing those revenues with the aboriginal partners in our devolution agreement," he said.
"I see a real desire on the part of the aboriginal governments in the territory to take part in resource development, to get a piece of the action and that is where we do have a competitive advantage."
Ramsay says the department plans to continue working with the public providing educational opportunities and encourages feedback.
"As we move forward with education, especially in the smaller communities, it's something we have to continue to pursue and will be pursuing as best we can."
