Fracking plans must go through government, says environment minister by CBC News, February 8, 2013
Shoal Point Energy is interested in doing exploratory fracking in three locations on Newfoundland’s west coast. Tom Hedderson, Newfoundland and Labrador’s environment minister, says any plans to use fracking in land-based oil exploration on Newfoundland’s west coast would have to go through the environmental assessment process. … “Once it’s registered for environmental assessment, and especially if it’s pertaining to a procedure like fracking, that there are a number of factors that have to be taken into account. And of course the big concern is the ground water.”
Fracking Must Pass Environmental Assessment by VOCM, February 8 2013
The project had previously passed environmental assessment and received approval to drill, using a different method. But Environment Minister Tom Hedderson says government heard through the media the company’s new plans to use fracking, and has advised that a new environmental assessment is necessary. … He says one of the most important parts of the EA process is public comment, which is 35 days. Hedderson says if the company does all that is asked, then the project would be released from environmental assessment, though he says it could be released with conditions.