The Nova Scotia Legislature has resolved to ban
"high-volume, hydraulic fracturing" in Nova Scotia. On
October 30, 2014, Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources
Act, received approval of the Committee of the Whole House to be
passed into law on a future date.
Bill 6 will prohibit "high-volume hydraulic fracturing"
in shale unless exempted by regulation for the purpose of testing
or research. What exactly is "high-volume hydraulic
fracturing" is to be make clear in future regulations.
This summer an independent panel of experts asked to review
hydraulic fracturing by the Nova Scotia government recommend
further study before the practice is allowed. The panel felt that
it did not have enough information on the regional shales in Nova
Scotia to decide if hydraulic fracturing should be allowed, and
called for further research and a period of "reflection,
dialogue and discussion".
Bill 6 will also authorize the Minister of Energy to conduct a
review of "high-volume hydraulic fracturing" at a further
date. The Minister will also have the power to review the
prohibition on hydraulic fracturing provided consideration is given
to the net benefit from hydraulic fracturing to Nova Scotians and
social, economic, health and environmental issues.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world's pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3800 lawyers based in over 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare.
Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa (incorporated as Deneys Reitz Inc) and Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, each of which is a separate legal entity, are members ('the Norton Rose Fulbright members') of Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss Verein. Norton Rose Fulbright Verein helps coordinate the activities of the Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.