It has been 12 years since former Liberal premier Brian Gallant imposed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick.
And, according to current Premier Susan Holt, during that time more information has come to light about fracking — enough to justify a formal review of the moratorium.
But for proponents and opponents of fracking development in the province, the biggest change in the past 12 years has been a further accumulation of evidence to support their original positions on the issue.
“The big difference is we know so much more,” said Phyllis Sutherland, a retired teacher and campground operator in Hillsborough, near one of the province’s major reserves of natural gas.
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Revisiting fracking not worth it for these rural New Brunswickers
The Holt government will wrap up a review of New Brunswick’s fracking moratorium in January.
Sutherland said everything she has learned in the past decade supports her original conclusion that fracking is “very bad for your health and for the environment.”
For economic development consultant David Campbell, the growth of the fracking industry in British Columbia in the past decade has bolstered his view that the risks involved in hydraulic fracturing are measured and may be worth the payoff in taxes and royalties.
Economic development consultant David Campbell says the growth of fracking in British Columbia could convince New Brunswickers to change their minds about the industry.
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