Communities form an Alliance against Shale Gas

Fredericton - Community groups from across the province have formed a network committed to working together to putting an end to shale gas development plans in the province.

     A groundswell of community opposition has arisen in response to the threats to public health, the environment, the economy, and the fundamental way of life for New Brunswickers posed by the provincial government’s plans to expedite shale gas exploration.  

The provincial government is seemingly ignoring these threats and the opposition building across the province.  Jim Emberger of the Taymouth Community Association says that “this has forced citizens groups to form an alliance to work together in order to send a stronger message that shale gas is not welcome in our communities.”

“Instead of pretending that shale gas exploration is not an issue and that concerned people are misinformed , we ask that our government do its job in protecting our life sustaining resources against an industry that is plagued by impacts to water, air, and health”, says Patricia Léger, spokesperson for Memramcook Action.

Terri Telasco, spokesperson for BanFracking NB says that the goals of the alliance are “to counter the government and industry lines with credible scientific research and by telling the stories of affected people on the front lines”.  “These groups have been working together, and will continue to work together, in order to create a unified voice across the province until the government rescinds its current shale gas plan”, she continues.

The network invites existing groups to join, and for new groups to form, growing the strength of voices.

Media Contacts:
Jim Emberger, Taymouth Community Association: 367-2658
Terri Telasco, Ban Fracking NB: 866-7658

Terry Wishart, Harvey Environmental Action Team: 238-4001
Patricia Léger (Bilingual), Memramcook Action: 758-9449
Armand Paul, Penniac Anti-Shale Gas Organization: 461-6395; 459-3272
Vanessa Bass, Tantramar Alliance Against Hydrofracking: 536-2015
Alma Brooks, Maliseet Grand Council: 472-2384
Stephanie Merrill, CCNB Action: 261-8317
Carol Ring, Council of Canadians: 847-0953
Ruth Wolpin, Hampton Water First: 832-7827
Mary de La Valette, New Brunswickers Against Fracking: 369-1995
Denise Melanson, Our Environment, Our Choice, Notre Envrionnement, Notre Choix: 523-9467
Doug Foster, Darlings Island Fracking Intervention: 832-0312
Steve Helle, Transition Town Woodstock: 324-9115
Otty Forgrave, Quality of Life Initiative: 839-2326
Hazel Richardson, Sierra Club Atlantic: 452-8915
Sam Arnold, Sustainable Energy Group - Woodstock: 328-9420
Stephanie Stoneleigh, Parents Against Everyday Poisons: 758-9805
Bradley Wood, Upper Miramichi Stewardship Alliance: 470-1869
Jean-Louis Deveaux (Bilingual), Friends of Mount Carleton: 442-1413
Dr. Randy Nason, Grand Lake Watershed Guardians: 339-5448
Jane Bradbrook, Cornhill Area Residents Association: 756-8903
Samuel Hamel, Concerned Citizens of York County: 367-2881
Mark D’Arcy, Friends of the UNB Woodlot: 454-5119

Related Media:

CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2011/09/07/nb-anti-shale-gas-alliance.html
NB Media Co-op: http://www.nbmediacoop.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1731%3Acommunities-form-province-wide-alliance-against-shale-gas&catid=82%3Aenvironment&Itemid=197

Related: Video of the peaceful protest march of September 17th as part of FrACTION Moncton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDfSmr6M6ok&feature=related