Alberta fears ‘misinformation’ by greens on fracking: report, NDP calling for safety investigation by Karen Kleiss, Edmonton Journal, August 18, 2011.
“The Conservative government has already made its decision around the safety and the pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing of shale gas,” Notley said. “Having made that decision, they are now proceeding to simply find ways to enable industry to access it as quickly as possible.” She said the documents show the government was “colluding” with other governments and industry to manipulate public opinion. “The Conservative government is working behind closed doors with industry without any kind of public participation,” she said. … In May, Duke University published the first peer-reviewed scientific study linking fracking activity with drinking water that has become so contaminated it can be lit on fire. Jessica Ernst, an Albertan from Rosebud, has long claimed her water can be lit on fire due to fracking activity nearby. Earlier this month the New York Times published a story revealing that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found drinking water contaminated by fracking as far back as 1987. [Emphasis added]