Hydraulic fracturing in NB

Hydraulic fracturing in NB for natural gas and potentially oil has been authorized by the Alward government. The legality of this authorization is very hotly disputed. See frackoff.ca [1] for a list of more general issues beyond New Brunswick. See also Council of Canadians [2] anti-fracking activities. See natural resources in New Brunswick for broader issues beyond gas extraction.

The process involves injecting hydraulic chemicals into wells. These are caustic and dangerous to ingest in significant quantities.

For those wishing to take immediate action the following are recommended

• BanFrackingNB facebook group
• How fracking could ruin New Brunswick [3]

Reliable news:

• outside report [4]
• CUPE NB supports protests [5]

Biased news:

• Truck set ablaze by person, persons or corporations or officials unknown [6]
• CBC report on same [7]

Note: These news sources are pro-corporate and do not mention either the most likely possibility, an inside torch job for insurance reasons, or the second most likely, police provocation. They tend to give credence to fringe theories that previously peaceful protesters who have never destroyed equipment before destroyed the truck. This should be protested strongly and boycott action taken against press outlets that give credence to fringe theories.

Native treaties

There is no treaty authorizing either seismic explosions nor the injection of potentially toxic chemicsls into potable water wells, nor assigning mineral or underground rights to the Canadian or NB regime. The Migmag Grand Council, Wabanaki Confederacy and the (Canadian government recognized) First Nations have all condemned and forbidden hydraulic fracturing.

Liability issues

Disclaimers that frackers should sign before risking your well

An indemnification including these clauses should be presented to any person, corporation or agency doing seismic testing or hydraulic fracturing anywhere near any water source you rely on. Or parking any vehicle or equipment used in same.

1. [fracking company e.g. SWN] indemnifies [landowner] against:
   1. any direct harm, risk, stigma, loss, failure, pollution, toxin, emission, off-gassing, methane release, hydraulic chemical poisoning, or other harm that is known to arise from hydraulic fracturing
   2. any indirect harm due to loss of industrial, agricultural or residential viability of a region, neighbourhood, street or other geographic area relying on a particular aquifer, rivershed or watershed rendered suspect by any such chemicals or emissions as above
   3. risks of conflict including assault, arson, blockage or blockade of rights of way
   4. any liability for damage to [fracking company] equipment, gear, personnel, reputation, assets or interests as a result of any action or inaction of the landowner

Questions to ask insurance companies regarding fracking and its effect on your home value

1. If I know hydraulic fracturing is happening near my home or business or a water source, aquifer, rivershed, lake, pond, moraine or watershed that may feed water into my well, am I insured for any damage it does? For instance, methane in wells? Explosions? Ground settling and damage to building foundations?
2. Is there a specific indemnification that I should ask frackers to sign to ensure that their insurance, not mine, covers any damage?
3. Do I require a test for hydraulic chemicals in my well in order to claim damages if such chemicals subsequently show up in the well? Frackers often claim that the chemicals were already in the well, if there is no test proving they were not prior to their activities.
4. If my home is devalued due to stigma, suspicion, fear, doubt or concern about hydraulic chemicals, methane, ground settling or any other known effect of fracking, does my insurance cover such a loss?
5. If potable water can no longer be reliably retrieved from a well, how do I calculate the damages? Trucked in water does not substitute as it is not as reliable, not as accessible, and will not be available in an emergency.