Whitehorse Daily Star

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PARTIES WERE AT LOGGERHEADS – NDP MLAs Jim Tredger and Lois Moorcroft are seen at this morning’s news conference. Moorcroft said governing Yukon Party members on the committee would not agree to a recommendation requiring social licence, nor to a finding that there is no evidence fracking can be done safely.

‘I think we have awakened a sleeping giant’

NDP members of the legislative committee on fracking say the committee was divided along party lines when it came to the question of whether the practice should be permitted in the Yukon.

By Chuck Tobin on January 20, 2015

NDP members of the legislative committee on fracking say the committee was divided along party lines when it came to the question of whether the practice should be permitted in the Yukon.

MLAs Lois Moorcroft and Jim Tredger held a press conference this morning to discuss their involvement on the all-party committee and its report along with 21 recommendations delivered to the Speaker of the House Monday morning.

The two MLAs said it’s clear there is no science available that says hydraulic fracturing can be done safely, and it’s also evident the vast majority of Yukoners do not want to see fracking in the territory.

Yet the committee could not agree on the question of whether it could be done safely, said Moorcroft.

Nor could the committee agree that the approval from Yukoners – social licence – should be required before fracking is allowed, Moorcroft added.

She said governing Yukon Party members on the committee would not agree to a recommendation requiring social licence, nor would they agree to a finding that there is no evidence fracking can be done safely.

It was a victory to have the committee recommend fracking should not go ahead without the approval of Yukon First Nations, Moorcroft told reporters.

The Copperbelt South MLA said what remains to be seen, however, is whether Premier Darrell Pasloski and his caucus accept the committee’s recommendations.

The government did form the legislative committee in May 2013 for a purpose, and presumably it did so to receive valuable insight and direction, she said.

But Moorcroft also expressed apprehension about the future of the recommendations.

While the committee did agree on 21 recommendations largely addressing the need to gather more information about fracking, it could not concur on the fundamental question of whether it should be permitted in the Yukon.

“The inability of the committee to reach a consensus despite a severe lack of scientific knowledge about fracking and the staunch public opposition goes a long way to show that the government remains determined to put rose-coloured goggles on this report and dismiss the concerns raised by hundreds of Yukoners,” she said.

But Yukoners are watching, and they’re watching closely, Tredger insisted.

“I think we have awakened a sleeping giant,” said the Mayo-Tatchun MLA.

“Yukoners are clearly involved, they are engaged and they want a participatory, responsive government, they want their land and water looked after and they want to be listened to.”

Moorcroft said there is no question the issue of hydraulic fracturing will be an election issue, whether Pasloski decides to go with an early election this year or wait until the end of his five-year mandate next year.

In addition to recommending fracking should only occur with First Nation approval, the committee also recommended the government respect existing aboriginal land claim agreements, and obligations to First Nations without agreements.

It has recommended base line research be conducted to collect data on the territory’s ground water and surface water resources, along with base line data on air, wildlife and human health.

The committee recommended extensive research be undertaken to fill in knowledge gaps regarding several aspects of hydraulic fracturing and its impacts before any consideration is given to whether it should be allowed here.

Base line water data is the type of information Yukoners should have in any case, Tredger and Moorcroft explained.

Both the Yukon Conservation Society and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society have likened the recommendations to a moratorium on fracking, given the research called for along with the requirement for First Nation approval.

Most Yukon First Nations have clearly stated their opposition to hydraulic fracturing unless it can be proven to be safe.

Moorcroft and Tredger agreed the research recommended by the committee is exhaustive but necessary, though again it all comes down to how the government treats the report and its recommendations.

They acknowledged there is not a lot about the economic benefits versus the negative impacts of fracking because there is not a lot of reliable information available to create a sound risk-benefit analysis, they explained.

The committee, said Moorcroft, has recommended a thorough study to determine exactly what the economic benefits would be to the Yukon.

Tredger said the equation must include the impact the industry would have on the land, the impact it would have on communities.

Often, he said, communities are left to picking up the pieces, dealing with the negative left behind in exchange for a few fly-in camp jobs, while all the profits fly south.

“What I heard from Yukoners is they are not willing to degrade their landscape for short term gain.”

Tredger said he was impressed by the depth of information he received from scientists, experts and all those who provided input to the committee.

Despite all their efforts, there remain many gaps in the knowledge base that prevents a complete understanding of hydraulic fracturing and its impacts, he said.

“It became increasingly evident that more scientific research is needed to identify risks and make decisions,” Tredger told reporters.

“Every day, new information and research is available raising more concerns and identifying further potential harms and unintended consequences of fracking.

“It is clear that there remains undetermined risks, potentially long-term consequences for our health, our water, and our wildlife.”

The Select Committee Regarding the Risks and Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing was chaired by Yukon Party MLA Patti McLeod of the Watson Lake riding.

Other Yukon Party members were Vuntut Gwitchin MLA Darius Elias and Copperbelt North MLA Currie Dixon. Liberal Leader Sandy Silver of the Klondike riding was the other committee member.

Silver is expected to comment on the report Wednesday.

See commentary.

Comments (43)

Up 0 Down 0

Show me the gas on Jan 26, 2015 at 4:52 pm

As far as I know to prove you have gas reserves you need to do seismic testing by cutting lines through the bush and setting off explosives. The refraction of the shock waves then tell engineers what is likely to be down there. If the seismic study shows positive likelihood for oil and gas a test drilling program is done to prove out things. This testing is far from cheap and has to prove cost effective. Gas and oil are not everywhere so I wonder where in the Yukon this has been carried out. We know about the Kotaneelee fields and possibly Eagle Plains but what if any other areas have undergone testing? There has been at least some very good discussion on fracking with everyone's knowledge base increasing I would think. Clean water trumps any other concerns!

Up 1 Down 1

B. Foster on Jan 25, 2015 at 8:39 pm

Fracking not the cause for leaks into water....

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29206704

Up 1 Down 1

B. Foster on Jan 25, 2015 at 8:34 pm

Looks like a good many in the UK that have serious questions they would like answered.....

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30955291

Up 3 Down 4

Wilf Carter Cost to Develop a natural gas well on Jan 25, 2015 at 1:38 pm

Does anyone of you know how much it cost to develop a gas? Do you how much volume you need from gas wells to make profitable? It's a major investment and now that major investment is bleeding money in the unbelievable amounts. For every day oil is below $50 a barrel - Alaska loses $10 million dollars a day. Alberta has not got a number on it but $6 to 7 billion for the year on their budget.
Some people think you just stop using oil and gas and suddenly turn on something else with no consideration of the facts. The Federal and Yukon NDP have no foresite on the impact of change, what to do or what time frame, at what cost. Mr Trudeau speaks but says nothing on anything. Mr Trudeau's father made some major mistakes and almost destroyed the Canadian economy. He has no track record and has shown the people of Canada what he stands for economical, foreign affairs, etc. Mr Trudeau states I am going to help the middle class. How? Where is the beef?

Up 10 Down 6

Wilf Carter DDT on Jan 24, 2015 at 3:24 pm

DDT is one of the reasons why all the agencies were set in Canada. Agent orange used on solders, other chemicals used on food, injection into beef, used to large pockets of bugs in the forest. There is a list of chemicals that have harmed people. There is almost 80 years of drilling going on and fracking has been used for a long time. It is that I am for fracking or against fracking. History is evidence of safe gas development over the last 80 years in Canada. No one has provided a real list of long term problems because there is none. Natural gas leaks into the air every day from swamps, cow dun, human waste in settling ponds, garage dumps, dead trees in Haines Junction. If I did not think it was safe you would know about it. Nothing is 100% safe in this life.

Up 7 Down 4

B. Foster on Jan 24, 2015 at 12:48 pm

@north

So...to be clear. Would my learning the benefits of tolerance resemble your skills in this regard? Because you seem vehemently intolerant of any views contradicting yours. Just sayin....

Up 12 Down 1

joella on Jan 23, 2015 at 11:53 pm

Wilf Carter no chemicals are permitted in Canada that can harm our people

The problem, Wilf, is that harm is not always evident until years of use have passed. Are you too young to recall the effects of DDT?

Up 8 Down 8

north_of_60 on Jan 23, 2015 at 5:18 pm

@B.Foster Don't try to make it personal, schoolyard bullying won't work on a public forum. Just do what you think is best in your life and I'll do the same. Learn the benefits of tolerance.
You have a nice day now.

Up 11 Down 4

get your popcorn on Jan 23, 2015 at 4:26 pm

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/earthquake-swarm-near-texas-fracking-sites-alarms-residents-1.2927220

Excerpted from article above in today's CBC:
"Earthquakes now average one a day, some days bring many more… recently 12 in one day. They’ve all been small, around 3.0, but Irving, Texas, is known for tornadoes not earthquakes.

Fracking uses billions of gallons of high-pressure water mixed with chemicals…. Wastewater is injected into wells… Geophysicists say if that water finds its way into an underground fault it can lead to the slipping, and an earthquake.
Some are concerned that chemical-laden wastewater may be seeping into the groundwater. “The minor trembles are one thing, but I’m more concerned with the drinking water."

"The amount of waste water being disposed of in Texas wells is over (140 billion gallons) a year. Where do you think that is going?"
Mayor Van Duyne muses when asked about the earthquakes, "Mother Nature is a funny thing; look how much damage hail does to roofs."
The oil and gas industry suggests media hype is at the core of the problem. Steve Everley, a former Republican adviser, says the word fracking is "headline bait”

Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have already put moratoriums on fracking, as have Germany and France and many communities in New York, Colorado, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and even Texas.

Many jurisdictions have moratoriums or outright bans on fracking, and there is probably a good reason.
Meanwhile, fracking corporations go to great lengths to shut down debate. I wonder how long it will be until this sort of fighting comes to the Yukon:

"Opposition against fracking has led companies to adopt public relations measures ....including the admitted use of military tactics. A senior executive at Anadarko Petroleum was recorded on tape advising fracking corporations to, "download the US Army Counterinsurgency Manual, because we are dealing with an insurgency", while referring to fracking opponents.

Matt Pitzarella, spokesman for the most important fracking company in Pennsylvania, Range Resources, told conference attendees that Range employs psychological warfare veterans when dealing with town meetings.
Rick Santorum, a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination, referred to those objecting to hydraulic fracturing as "environmental terrorists".

- wikipedia

Up 9 Down 15

B. Foster on Jan 23, 2015 at 4:12 pm

@north
You really have a knack for trivializing the issue(s) at hand even though the issues have the potential to impact ourselves and our children in a hugely destructive fashion. To arbitrarily dismiss the “possibility” that humanity may have a significant hand in global warming, climate change, contamination of our food supplies, etc. is to willingly invite or blindly embrace catastrophe if your personal opinion / beliefs to be found wrong in the test of time.
You are so staunch in your stance that you are right and “they” are wrong that you inadvertently negate your argument by your unwillingness to admit that someone else may have a point; that the very fact that there is so much contention over a given issue is in itself an admission that there “could” indeed be a problem. When you consider this fact combined with the ramifications of our actions were we blindly to concede to your notions and those of your ilk the potential for ill is very great.

We are all products of our environment. I have no choice but to use gas to get to town for work. I have no choice but to heat my house in some fashion that utilizes petro products. The fact that I have no choice in these matters does not nullify my opinion that we could get by very well with much less and that we should try not to engage in activities that have arguably caused great harm elsewhere. Would my argument have more merit to you were I to walk around naked and let my family freeze in order that I am not seen as a hypocrite?
I am wrong. I am wrong every day in many things. I could easily be wrong about my stance on fracking. I believe however that the “possibility” that many many others are right makes the risk of the practice here unwise and therefore that we should not go there. Worst case were my stance in this to be right is we don’t give away what we have and retain things that are vital to our health and well being.

Is there even the slightest chance that you are wrong?

Up 10 Down 8

Wilf Carter no chemical are permitted in Canada that can harm our people on Jan 22, 2015 at 9:40 pm

I find it so much BS that there is no chemicals permitted by any government in Canada to be used that will harm people or our environment by all levels of government. So we have people stating that we have chemicals that are being used to create unhealthy problems in our environment. The restrictions and levels of limitations are very clear by Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. They will not permit the levels of chemicals being used to affect our water or health and has been in affect for years starting after the second world war. After the second world war there was a lot of new agencies brought in place to protect Canada and its people including in the Yukon.

Up 7 Down 4

Wilf Carter June Jackson on Jan 22, 2015 at 7:21 pm

Sorry June I did not read all of your comments on January 20. I like people questioning other opinions. I am not sure about the 70 billion you are talking about! Or I am missing something. Far as no leadership, if that's what you are referring to, you are totally right. The Yukon needs new blood from within that stands for respect, honesty, understanding, good for the best interest of the Yukon and a strong social economic economy not a social economy that produces nothing.

Up 20 Down 22

north_of_60 on Jan 22, 2015 at 6:39 pm

These anti-frackers are the same few thousand 'anti-everything' folks who will sign any petition that their Facebook friends say they should.

Anti-fracking=anti-development, anti-fossil fuel, anti-nuclear, anti-big business.....
They also believe humans cause 'global warming' whenever it's hot, and humans cause 'climate change' when it's cold and stormy. However that doesn't stop them from consuming fossil fuels, and enjoying all the 'free' government benefits in a petro-funded society.

They know how they feel about the issues and they don't want their preconceived notions confused by inconvenient facts and science.

Up 5 Down 7

Bobby Bitman on Jan 22, 2015 at 5:52 pm

I posted the list of chemicals to share that it's not just sand and water going down there. I do not know the concentrations used, nor how dangerous most of the chemicals are to ecology. I am well aware that guar gum for instance is not dangerous. As for salts and acids, in low concentrations and/or certain forms, they can be put on your salad. I know this. But I also know that putting salts on a garden can completely change the ph of the soil and destroy it for growing most things. Likewise lemon juice in your watering can. So drop the drama about how safe acetic acid is. It is not napalm, but it can destroy ecological systems.

Let's get real. They are in fact using chemicals, a lot of chemicals. In what concentrations? How often? In what combinations? What is the effect of these concentrations and combinations on plant life? What is the chance they will seep into ground water? These are the questions that need to be answered before a lot of people are going to feel comfortable with even making an informed choice on fracking let alone a choice to say, "Yes."

Mocking people for wanting to know and pretending their is nothing at all to worry about while many jurisdictions have banned fracking is not helping your cause.

Once again resource extraction proponents want to ram things down everybody else's throats, with contempt for any point of view but their own. All the while accusing those concerned about the environment of trying to ram their views down their throats.
There is no way this is going to succeed. Shoving people aside and saying, "Tough! We are doing it anyway!", is not going to work.

Deal with it. The days of corporations and those who do not care about the environment taking what they want, doing whatever they want are well over. Yes, that is mighty irritating to some. Boo-hoo.

Now can we get to the table and get some work done? Figure this out and share facts? Get Yukoners on board, or respect the fact that informed people do not want the oil and gas industry setting up here with fracking.

Up 24 Down 14

Wilf Carter Joel on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:55 pm

I have gone through all the chemicals used in fracking and how much compared to other users and it is likely less than 1%. As far as other types of fracking do you really think people working in the oil and gas are going to damage their own drinking water. Go to western provinces Alaska and NWT and ask them how much of their water has been harmed? I have family friends that have worked in the oil and gas industry for years and they are the same type of people like us, they have children and go to work each day. Maybe some of these nay-sayers should go out and find out the truth and they will think differently.

Up 25 Down 6

Joel on Jan 22, 2015 at 12:39 pm

Bobby since you are using chemical names, we should probably pick some of yours then....
Hydrochloric Acid helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock -- also used in food production and is the major component of your stomach acid.
Glutaraldehyde Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide --also used as a cleaning and disinfecting agent in hospitals
Calcium Chloride Product Stabilizer -- melts the ice in your driveway. Inhibits dust on dirt roads
Sodium Chloride Prevents clays from swelling or shifting -- Salt
Isopropanol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent Corrosion Inhibitor -- main component of rubbing alcohol
Methanol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent Corrosion Inhibitor --Methyl alcohol or wood alcohol
Borate Salts Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases --made from Borax or soap
Citric Acid Prevents precipitation of metal oxides --used as a food additive to provide tartness. Made from citrus fruit
Ethylene Glycol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent -- main component in the production of polyester. Vehicle antifreeze
Acetic Acid -- main component of vinegar
Guar Gum Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand -- Water soluble fiber used mainly in food products
Lauryl Sulfate Used to prevent the formation of emulsions in the fracture fluid -- detergent and surfectant used in cosmetic cleaners. Acts like a soap.

There is no science that says we can do many things safely, but we take precautions and do them anyways. 100% safely is a myth for everything we do.

Up 17 Down 26

melba on Jan 22, 2015 at 12:09 pm

Marianne, Pro-industrialization supporters who do not worry about impacts on the environment nor what other people want, do not go door to door with petitions.
They write cheques to the Yukon Party.

Up 26 Down 9

ProScience Greenie on Jan 22, 2015 at 11:59 am

I'm not at all a big pro-fracking Bobby, but I am very much pro-science. You need to give us the concentrations of those chemicals you listed, natural background levels and the nature of the rock formations where they are used. Science will give us a greener future Bobby, not left of center fear-mongering.

Up 20 Down 14

Wilf Carter One sides on Jan 22, 2015 at 11:40 am

A true petition shows who is for and who is against the subject. What a group of game players.

Up 12 Down 18

Marianne on Jan 22, 2015 at 8:38 am

It's easy to criticize petitions if you've never circulated one. It would be good to see more comments by people who walked around with it.

Those who are pro-fracking and claiming they're in the "silent majority" would be doing themselves a favour by taking that position to the streets, as the petitioners with the opposing view did. I'm sure it would be illuminating, if challenging. I honestly don't know what the results would be, but for sure you would find yourself communicating with people face-to-face on a level where the sound bites and aggressive name-calling just aren't going to fly.

I can respect that some people have their opinions, but a lot of the comments here about partisanship rumours, "20 people on my street didn't sign, so there" are just another way of saying you don't respect people with opposing views. You should get out there and meet those people, at the very least the discussion would become more civil.

These comments that slam people for walking the talk are really disappointing, and I'm very sad to see that it comes from the top down. It's a democratic right, and we really need to exercise those rights. Every side of the debate needs to remember that.

I did sign one petition, I didn't sign it many times because of the issue raised here of multiple signatures weakening the presentation. I would have liked to see the petitioners explain more about how the process worked.

Up 11 Down 17

B. Foster on Jan 22, 2015 at 8:00 am

We need a hero.

Seems the Yukon is always behind the times by a few years or a decade. We should turn this propensity to our favor and realize that while the rest of the world, or a large part of it, is shi**ing where they eat, we have our ecosystems and water largely intact. Instead we will blithely strive to emulate a status quo that has in other areas arguably been shown to be toxic to both society and the environment. We should strive to get ahead of the curve in this regard…..recognize that we are in a unique position to retain our resources and the jewel that is the Yukon intact and if need be develop and pursue a vision that puts our unique position in the world first and foremost.

Obviously we will instead argue over semantics and trip over ourselves trying to pander to or hang with the “BIG Dogs”........we collectively need some balls backed by some vision and chased with a stiff shot of wakey wakey.

Up 23 Down 8

Liberals don't get it on Jan 21, 2015 at 8:03 pm

So the Liberals are not sure what to do with fracking. You have the NDP and Liberals not sure where to go on fracking when BC has approved fracking which is either a Liberal or NDP government in power for years. Interesting that the Liberals and NDP south of us are progressive economic development people but in the Yukon, anti-development. Who is really a Liberal or NDP in Canada and what do they really stand for?

Up 22 Down 10

How much of these chemicals used as compared to house holds or commercail on Jan 21, 2015 at 5:13 pm

How much of these chemicals are used compared to households and commercial users and are also released into the ground? I have had major water testing completed in the Yukon on community water and sent to labs in Calgary. It is all about the parts per billion in the water. There are natural chemicals all the time leaching into the soil. Households use the same chemicals listed in cleaning items. House chemicals put more chemicals in our water than any fracking would ever do. I had one community test their water and we found food additives, birth control chemicals, acids from automotives. There is no creditably until you can state what parts per billion is been used. Just listing chemicals means nothing until you have measure. So don't be fooled by how bad the chemicals are used in fracking. How much chemicals do you use in your house ever day? How much chemicals are we passing as waste from our own body because of drugs and food? I have seen cross contamination from human waste into our water. Look at what is in toilet cleaner. It makes me sick when facts are so not connected to the facts. True science.

Up 22 Down 33

Bobby Bitman on Jan 21, 2015 at 4:21 pm

Proscience Greenie, what kind of an idiotic statment is that? You think it's funny that people might want to know which chemicals are being forced into the ground? You think that saying H2O in a 'big word' (for you) way is clever?

How pathetic. I rest my case as to what we are dealing with in the pro-fracking community.

Up 2 Down 18

sk on Jan 21, 2015 at 4:19 pm

Oops. I tried to do a thumbs up for Bobby Bitman and it turned into about 10 thumbs up all at once. So anyhow, that '14' should be maybe a '4'. Ten of those thumbs up were mine. I hate it when I see that happen when other people do it and I didn't realize it happens by mistake sometimes.

Up 21 Down 16

ProScience Greenie on Jan 21, 2015 at 4:15 pm

Great list of chemicals Bobby. Notice you didn't include the very dangerous dihydrogen monoxide. That chemical compound has cost society more lives than almost anything else. Rumor has it that not only do they use it in fracking it's also found in high concentration in our tap water. They way things are going, we'll be lucky if humanity makes it through this decade.

Up 32 Down 10

Bobby Bitman on Jan 21, 2015 at 12:53 pm

I posted this list in another article on the Star website, but think it is important to share the information so I am repeat posting here.

All sorts of chemicals are used for many different reasons in fracking. Here is a list of chemicals used in hydrolic fracturing, and what they are used for. The reference is, "FracFocus Chemical Disclosure Registry". Think about how comfortable you are with this concoction being forced into the ground to split the earth apart:

Hydrochloric Acid helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock
Glutaraldehyde Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide
Quaternary Ammonium Chloride Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide
Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl-Phosphonium Sulfate Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Biocide
Ammonium Persulfate Allows a delayed break down of the gel Breaker
Sodium Chloride Product Stabilizer Breaker
Magnesium Peroxide Allows a delayed break down the gel Breaker
Magnesium Oxide Allows a delayed break down the gel
Calcium Chloride Product Stabilizer
Choline Chloride Prevents clays from swelling or shifting Clay Stabilizer
Tetramethyl ammonium chloride Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Sodium Chloride Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Isopropanol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent Corrosion Inhibitor
Methanol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent Corrosion Inhibitor
Formic Acid Prevents the corrosion of the pipe Corrosion Inhibitor
Acetaldehyde Prevents the corrosion of the pipe
Petroleum Distillate Carrier fluid for borate or zirconate crosslinker
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate Carrier fluid for borate or zirconate
Crosslinker
Potassium Metaborate Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Triethanolamine Zirconate Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Sodium Tetraborate Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Boric Acid
Zirconium Complex Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Borate Salts Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Ethylene Glycol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Methanol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Polyacrylamide “Slicks” the water to minimize friction Friction Reducer
Petroleum Distillate Carrier fluid for polyacrylamide friction reducer
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate Carrier fluid for polyacrylamide friction reducer
Ethylene Glycol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Guar Gum Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand
Polysaccharide Blend Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand
Citric Acid Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Acetic Acid
Sodium Erythorbate
Lauryl Sulfate Used to prevent the formation of emulsions in the fracture fluid
Non-Emulsifier
Isopropanol Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Non-Emulsifier
Sodium Hydroxide Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers pH Adjusting Agent
Potassium Hydroxide Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
Acetic Acid
Copolymer of Acrylamide and Sodium Acrylate Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Sodium Polycarboxylate Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Phosphonic Acid Salt Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Naphthalene Carrier fluid for the active surfactant ingredients
Isopropyl Alcohol
2-Butoxyethanol

Up 24 Down 10

There was a lot on my street that did would not sign the petition on fracking on Jan 21, 2015 at 12:44 pm

There was at least 20 people or more on my street that would not sign the petition on fracking. Their sales pitch was - it is evil to let fracking and they support the NDP.

Up 33 Down 11

Yukoner on Jan 21, 2015 at 9:47 am

The petition is funny in itself as I had a woman come to my house more than once for me to sign against fracking but I would not sign. So where is the mention of all the people that said no to this petition?

Up 29 Down 10

ProScience Greenie on Jan 21, 2015 at 8:48 am

I must have missed that math class back in grade school that teaches a few thousand out of 40K is a vast majority.

A few good things in the report including wanting complete transparency about fraking methods and fluids. Otherwise no solutions to creating good paying jobs for Yukoners that aren't lucky enough to have one of those sweet government jobs or be a MLA.

Up 14 Down 10

Barb on Jan 21, 2015 at 7:14 am

Flint, Michigan adds its name to the list of hundreds of cities, towns and community water systems that are failing. Bottomline, they have made many bad choices... and there yet are real solutions.

EXCUSES... EXCUSES... EXCUSES
Until the Safe Drinking Water Act is really enforced... Drinking Water in the United States will be equal to a third world country.

Today Mayor Dayne Walling says access to clean, safe, affordable water is a basic human right, and Governor Rick Snyder has the responsibility for helping to deliver it. Now is not the time for the blame game...Detroit has failed and Flint jumped ship. So much for local control... everyone is responsible from the top down: USEPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the State of Michigan and the local officials.

Up 16 Down 15

Dean on Jan 21, 2015 at 2:10 am

The government only needs to look east to Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to see what they are doing and it pretty much tells you what you need to know.

Up 15 Down 13

James on Jan 20, 2015 at 10:49 pm

Sounds like Fentie's "let's sell this s**t" agenda is still in play.

Up 23 Down 10

Learn a little check the facts on Jan 20, 2015 at 8:01 pm

It was suspected to be double names, people who don't live here and people from all over the Yukon who were not in the Yukon Party riding. This is not accredited process that cannot be proven and has no subject of error. So this is just more none factual information by special interest groups to support anti development in the Yukon and the NDP. The only purpose was to make people of the Yukon support a special interest groups movement which has no substance in fact that can be proven. The NDP and liberals are known for getting their members to take Yukon Party membership to try to influence leadership and policy of the Yukon Party. Yukon Party does not stop or do not permit anyone from joining their party membership even when they are a member of another party. I think we should all join each party to find out the truth. What do Yukoners think?

Up 22 Down 14

north_of_60 on Jan 20, 2015 at 7:50 pm

It was two separate anti-fracking petitions at two different times. A 'petition' consists of many pages of names. A petition submitted at any time is cross checked among the pages submitted for any duplicate entries. When another petition at a later date is compiled, and submitted, it's not compared with lists of names from previous petitions.

It's the same stridently vocal few thousand who sign every anti-anything petition. They do not speak for the majority of Yukoners.

Up 17 Down 4

Groucho d'North on Jan 20, 2015 at 6:39 pm

Why can't we have an oil and gas industry without fracking? For the past century, oil and gas companies have been sucking it out of the ground without fracking so why not make drilling in the Yukon conditional to no fracking?
I completely understand the advantage to have all development options available for the return on investment for shareholders, but with the recent 'adjustment' to the cost of a barrel of crude, I expect any investment in the future search for deposits to exploit will be a special occasion. The Yukon is a mouse in the oil elephant field.

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June Jackson on Jan 20, 2015 at 5:36 pm

To: Mr. Bitman: there is not one single hit to "is there any evidence that fracking is safe?" and 668,000 hits on "is fracking dangerous". All the information is there for everyone to research and read.
This URl is a list of countries/states/ in the world that thought fracking was safe and have learned to their detriment that it is not.
http://keeptapwatersafe.org/global-bans-on-fracking/

In the country, not just the Yukon 2/3s of Canadians oppose fracking..there are also some interesting links to Shell oil fracking the Karoo desert in South Africa, one of the poorest area's in the world..and fracking is banned.
http://www.greeleyandstone.com/images/Bans_on_Horizontal_Fracking.pdf

Mr. Wilf Carter: How much of that 70 billion dollars are the grass roots people getting? it's sitting in funds waiting for morally bankrupt politicians to grab it?
It is doubtful that the current sitting government is going to see a reelection. People I talk to feel that 3 idiots and a door stopper could do a better job than these guys. I hope the First Nations are ready for more court action should this government decide to buck the commissions report and open the Peel to fracking..

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north_of_60 on Jan 20, 2015 at 5:14 pm

@lal - Fiddle with the numbers all you want. The fact remains, the vast majority of Yukon residents did not sign any petition to ban fracking.

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Learn a little on Jan 20, 2015 at 4:47 pm

Actually, if you knew a little about the petition (and democratic) process, you would be ware of the fact that the clerk upon receiving a petition removes duplicates of any names. Furthermore the actual number of signatures on the last petition exceeds 8000 signatures and was only conducted on residences that are in the riding's of Yukon Party MLA's.

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Bobby Bitman on Jan 20, 2015 at 4:42 pm

"The two MLAs said it’s clear there is no science available that says hydraulic fracturing can be done safely," (Jim and Lois)
"Yukoners are clearly involved" - Jim Tredger

Egads. "Clearly" always says the opposite. Just drop it okay? I'm on your side but if you feel the need to use the word, 'clearly', you sound very much like you are overstating your case.
How about this: "There is no science available that says hydraulic fracturing can be done safely," - Lois and Jim
And, "Yukoners are involved." - Jim

Now, how do those statements look? 'No' science available that fracking can be done safely? Is there really none? That sounds pretty damning if it is 100% true.
'Yukoners are involved'. True statement. No need for 'clearly'.

And most Yukoners seem to be apprehensive of fracking or outright opposed. A few throw caution to the wind and welcome industry regardless of risks. A few others truly believe that ramming chemicals mixed with water and sand into the ground at such high pressure that it splits bedrock apart like a shattered plate is absolutely safe. Even though we do not know much of anything about the hydrology of the Yukon, and we don't know what might happen if these chemicals seep into ground water, we don't know how these cracks might change the flow of ground water, etc, etc.

I strongly oppose fracking at this time because we do not know enough to make a responsible decision one way or the other. That means no-go. Like diving into a lake. If you do not know whether there is a rock waiting for your head, you do not do it. You don't say, well, right now there's no proof that there IS a rock there! You check and see first.

It is not worth the risk and the answers are not there. Not that I can see anyway. And for every person who says, 'There's never been an accident, there's never been any harm to the environment or ground water in any way.', there are ten others saying that is absolutely not true and that it has caused accidents, it has contaminated water and poisoned the earth.

If Paslowski pulls another stunt and unilaterally opens this territory for fracking, it would not surprise me. What else is a shill to do? But in the end it will be another well deserved nail in the coffin of the Yukon Party Ltd. Fiascos, incompetence, scandal, and the biggest of all, the arrogance and borderline belligerence of the Yukon Party's foot stamping refusal to listen to the Yukon public, or even the courts, with regard to industrializing the Peel on behalf of the Yukon Party's corporate donors. And of course on behalf of the real political leader of the Yukon Party, Steven Harper.

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Wilf Carter Economic Projects in the Yukon on Jan 20, 2015 at 4:15 pm

The role of Economic Development in fracking or any other project are:
1. To complete an economic benefits analysis of fracked oil and gas so the committee has creditable information to base their decisions on..
2. To have a social economic benefits analysis which provides the risk as compared to the social impact.
3. Have a science risk analysis of fracking. The western provinces, NWT and Alaska have already done this and are going ahead with fracking.
The results of this committee is clear that from the NDP and Yukon Party not enough information to make an informed decision on fracking. So the First Nation will not make any decision until they can determine the risk associated with it.
Minister Hassard will you get your Department to complete the above economic development work instead of spending money on IT projects that are questionable on economic benefits for the Yukon? Will you give political direction to the Department of Economic Development? Every one knew how the committee was going to go. NDP used as a political tool for their own interest. Now it is MR. Silver's turn to show what he is made of on economic development. There is lot of room for the liberals to move this project in the right direction. The one burning question is how much royalties can the Yukon make from these types of resources? Talking to Alaska, they have over $70 billion dollars in all their funds because of oil and gas development. How much of their water and environment has been destroyed?

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Lost in the Yukon on Jan 20, 2015 at 4:12 pm

Somebody must have just watched the movie "Tora Tora Tora" ... where Naval Marshal General Isoroku Yamamoto, after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, is reputed to have said "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."

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north_of_60 on Jan 20, 2015 at 3:09 pm

" the vast majority of Yukoners do not want to see fracking in the territory."

Oh really? Is that somehow based on 7,000 signatures on two separate petitions from a stridently vocal minority. Very likely, most of the same people signed both petitions. That does not show the public is against it.

It shows that more than 5 times that number of Yukon residents did not sign a petition to ban fracking. The vast majority don't see fracking as a big enough concern to sign a petition banning it in the Yukon.

Yes, fracking and the Peel will be the major issues in the next election.

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