Quebec Debating Adoption of Bill to Ban Shale Gas Exploration

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Quebec’s Bill 37 An Act to prohibit certain shale natural gas exploration and production activities moved a step closer to adoption during continuing debates conducted in the legislature during November.

The Bill, which was originally tabled on May 15, 2013, establishes a moratorium prohibiting all drilling, injectivity testing, and fracturing operations related to shale natural gas exploration or production in the territories of municipalities located mainly in the St. Lawrence lowlands. The proposed legislation would also give the Quebec government the power to extend the application of the moratorium to municipal territories contiguous to those already covered by the Bill. In addition, the Bill suspends any prior authorizations under the Environment Quality Act and licences for well drilling, completion, or conversion under the Mining Act that permitted their holders to engage in activities prohibited by the bill.

The moratorium is to remain in effect until a law establishing new rules for hydrocarbon exploration and production comes into force, or for a maximum  period of five years.

Some environmental groups allege that shale gas exploration and mining can have serious impacts on water quality — especially groundwater. While there has been some research refuting the more outrageous claims — like flaming tap water, there is no doubt that it’s an area where research and legislation has lagged behind development.

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