FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Premier David Alward says environmentalists have nothing to fear despite their concerns that an energy company was granted rights to conduct seismic testing in provincial wetlands.
Alward says he is confident the work by SWN Resources won’t harm the environment because oil and gas regulations that his government introduced in February are strong.
His comments come after the Conservation Council of New Brunswick said it was surprised to learn that the province’s Environment Department issued a permit allowing SWN Resources to explore for shale gas in wetlands in eight counties.
Stephanie Merrill, a spokeswoman for the group, says she was stunned to learn that the company could be given access to such a large area with just one permit.
The permit for SWN Resources includes 26 conditions on what can be done near wetlands and water courses.
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