FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government today released a blueprint which will help guide the oil and natural gas industry in New Brunswick in the years ahead.

The New Brunswick Oil and Natural Gas Blueprint, announced by Energy and Mines Minister Craig Leonard, outlines 16 action items to be carried out to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

“There is tremendous opportunity in the oil and gas sector - opportunity that can mean great things for our provincial economy and for our future,” Leonard said. “The blueprint will provide a solid and strategic guide for our path forward, building upon the recent release of new rules for the industry.”

The blueprint is based upon the following six principles:

●    environmental responsibility;
●    effective regulation and enforcement;
●    community relations;
●    First Nations engagement;
●    stability of supply; and
●    economic development.

The blueprint lays out a plan to address the strategic economic, social and public health dimensions of New Brunswick's oil and natural gas sector. As a first step, it will enable industry to discover the full extent of our oil and gas resources and determine whether an expansion is viable.

Also contained in the blueprint is the government's response to the  recommendations of reports by Louis LaPierre, Ph.D., (The Path Forward, October, 2012 ) and by Dr. Eilish Cleary (Chief Medical Officer of Health's Recommendations Concerning Shale Gas Development in New Brunswick, September 2012).

As part of the blueprint, the Department of Environment and Local Government will focus on the issues of water monitoring, water use in exploration and extraction, wastewater treatment, and water-related public information. In addition, the provincial government commits to developing a comprehensive water management strategy for New Brunswick.

The government also commits to developing a compliance and enforcement strategy for the oil and gas sector to ensure a co-ordinated approach to inspection and enforcement, and to provide sufficient resources to manage inspection and enforcement activities.

Air quality monitoring will continue with potential enhancements to the current air quality stations which are operated by the Department of Environment and Local Government.

“Given the focus on air and water in the blueprint, it is clear that our focus is to ensure that the industry can evolve in an environmentally safe manner,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch. “Our water and air must be protected, and the safety of New Brunswickers must be ensured, for this industry to move forward. We are putting the safeguards in place to be ready if the industry expands in our province.”

The government will ensure ongoing consideration of issues associated with public health. This will include the Department of Health working with the Department of Environment and Local Government on assessment measures when companies are registering and applying for permits on projects.

Leonard said the provincial government will also work with industry and other jurisdictions to monitor and address natural gas and strategic issues related to long-term natural gas supplies.

Other sections of the blueprint focus on:

●    providing opportunities for First Nations;
●    workforce development;
●    offshore oil and natural gas opportunities; and
●    developing a new royalty regime.

Creating the blueprint involved a concerted effort both internally and with external stakeholders. Leonard said the Department of Energy and Mines will be vigilant in watching for new technologies and best practices to include in action items as new advancements are made in the industry.

He said that while the province continues to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels, natural gas and oil development can still play an important role in the province's mix of energy needs now, and in the years ahead.

“There is a great deal of history in our province in the oil and gas sector,” Leonard said. “All of our natural resources play an important role in our ability to maintain and enhance our health-care and education systems and other social services. The key is managing our resources in a responsible and safe way for the benefit of all New Brunswickers.”

The 16 action items addressed in the blueprint are:

●    Strategic Water Management for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector
●    Responsive Air Quality Monitoring
●    Enhancing the Regulatory Framework for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector
●    Compliance and Enforcement Strategy
●    Alternative Regulatory Agency Models
●    Ongoing Public Health Engagement
●    Dispute Resolution
●    Oil and Gas Royalties
●    Royalty Revenue Sharing
●    Economic Impacts
●    First Nations Economic Opportunities Plan
●    Economic Development and Investment Attraction
●    Workforce Development Strategy
●    New Brunswick Energy Institute
●    Regional Natural Gas Supply Planning
●    Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Opportunities

A copy of the New Brunswick Oil and Natural Gas Blueprint is available online.

09-05-13