GNWT announces plans to develop hydraulic fracturing regulations
YELLOWKNIFE (June 2, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced today that it will begin the process of developing regulations under the NWT Oil and Gas Operations Act to set out filing requirements for projects involving hydraulic fracturing.
“Devolution has given the Government of the Northwest Territories new powers to manage resource development,” said Minister David Ramsay. “We are committed to using those powers to ensure that development of NWT petroleum resources proceeds in a responsible, sustainable way that creates prosperity for our residents, while protecting the environment and human health and safety.”
The Government of the Northwest Territories assumed responsibility for an already well-developed environmental protection and regulatory system as part of devolution. Resource development decisions are guided by an established legislative and policy framework that includes the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, territorial mirror legislation, theLand Use and Sustainability Framework, Sustainable Development Policy, Water Strategy,Economic Opportunities Strategy and commitments under settled claims.
New hydraulic fracturing filing regulations would complement and strengthen requirements established by the National Energy Board prior to April 1, 2014, ensuring that Northern values and priorities are more fully reflected in resource development decisions. Regulations would be informed by current science and research the GNWT has been undertaking since 2012 into environmental best practices used by industry and regulators in other jurisdictions. The government will be consulting with the public, MLAs, Aboriginal governments, industry, NGOs and other stakeholders as part of the process for developing regulations.
The GNWT will announce plans for how it will proceed with the development of regulations and the timeline for consultations in late June.
For more information:
Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2303
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca
