Shale gas complaints to be handled by new process, Energy Minister Craig Leonard says homeowners will not be fighting companies

Shale gas complaints to be handled by new process, Energy Minister Craig Leonard says homeowners will not be fighting companies by CBC News, November 29, 2012
The New Brunswick government will create a dispute resolution mechanism to deal with any damages or lawsuits arising from problems associated with shale gas development, the province’s energy and mines minister said on Thursday. Energy Minister Craig Leonard said it will be the provincial government ensuring that legitimate claims are resolved and not individual homeowners fighting with large companies. “There’s always going to be financial security in place to deal with those type of issues that government can draw down on to compensate the individual to make sure they’re taken care of,” he said. “And then if there’s a legal aspect after that, then it would be government and industry who are dealing with it rather than the homeowner or landowner.” Leonard also said there will be enough inspectors on the ground to monitor exploration and ensure regulations are being followed. … Leonard said a moratorium is not appropriate response to dealing with the shale gas industry. The energy minister said it is important to develop strong regulations so any potential problems do not actually arise. “Those instances are decreasing rapidly because of best practices being put in place,” he said. [Emphasis added]

[Refer also to: WATCH: Cochrane resident Howard Hawkwood worries CAPP’s new fracking guidelines too weak, Alberta rancher says he’s felt many tremors on his property

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Alberta’s [Ineffective] Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) by the ERCB

Alberta ERCB IL 2001-01 titled Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program and Guidelines for Energy Industry Disputes, was issued January 8, 2001. This regulatory document formalizes the use of ADR and explains the Board’s expectations…. [Emphasis added]

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