British Columbia’s two Independent MLAs are calling on Premier Clark (Letter attached) to publicly investigate the development of the province’s unconventional gas basins and the use of hydraulic fracturing to access this resource.

“Public policies are driving the rapid expansion of BC's unconventional gas sector, particularly in shale formations in the Peace Region,” said Vicki Huntington, the Independent MLA for Delta South, “It is incumbent on the government to ensure it fully understands the cumulative impacts associated with developing this resource.”

It's not exactly the moratorium that thousands of citizens had asked for, but shalegas operations in Quebec are going to be severely curtailed for the next year, perhaps longer, Environment Minister Pierre Arcand said yesterday following the publication of a much-anticipated report into the future of the shalegas industry in Quebec.

An in-depth strategic environmental assessment - which could take up to two years - will be conducted into the impact of shale-gas drilling, Arcand told reporters in Montreal. It will look into issues such as the treatment of waste-water from drilling sites, and the "harmonious coexistence" of citizens and the industry, he said.

Residents of the idyllic Rocky Mountain town of Fernie, B.C. demonstrated against BP’s Mist Mountain coalbed methane project today. Nearly 200 people turned out for a rally against the contentious project, which could cover 320 square kilometres of B.C.’s southern Rockies.

Click here for more photos from the rally by Todd Weselake - Raven Eye Photography

Chanting slogans like “Tell the Government of BC, We are Coalbed Methane FREE!” the crowd assembled at the Fernie Arts Station and then walked through downtown to the office BP occupied before closing it earlier this year.

BP is going to FRAC in Fernie. Find out what that means for our people, our water and our wildlife.

July 12th @ the Arts Station in Fernie - Gasland the Movie - FREE
July 14th outside the Arts Station - NP BP in BC Rally

Today in Smithers Carole James emphasized her commitment to protecting watersheds, communities and rivers from Gordon Campbell’s plan to allow reckless development of coalbed methane, says Troy Sebastian, the NDP candidate in Kootenay East.

“Gordon Campbell doesn’t listen to the concerns of communities,” said Sebastian, “and the Liberal candidate can’t be trusted to stand up for our communities, he’s just one of Campbell’s yes men.”

The issue of coalbed methane drilling sparked protest in Fernie. The Fernie city council has signed on to Citizens Concerned about Coalbed Methane’s plan for safer CBM.

On Monday January 12th the City of Fernie Council signed on as the latest supporter of the BC Citizens Concerned About Coalbed Methane five-point plan for responsible coalbed methane development in BC.

This adds to the 500 individual signatures of support that is growing everyday. It is hoped that other communities will be signing on in support of this action plan in the near future.

To sign on in support of the five point plan, or to find out more information visit www.concernedaboutcbm.org