Latest call to end Australian shale gas development

The APPEA claims that the Greens are misleading the public in their efforts to undermine Australia’s natural gas industry.

Ban on fracking

APPEA’s Stedman Ellis, said Robin Chapple, Member of Western Australian Legislative Council (MLC) was clearly ignoring the facts with his latest call for a ban on fracking.

Ellis said the Greens MP was wrong to link fracking in Western Australia (WA) to a recent incident in New South Wales (NSW), where leakage from a decommissioned containment pond resulted in elevated levels of trace elements in localised groundwater.

Low environmental impact

The NSW EPA found that the environmental impact from the leak was low and that there was no threat to humans or animals.

Ellis commented: “The Greens have a political agenda to shut down Australia’s natural gas industry and deny our nation the jobs, investment and energy security it provides.

“Robin Chapple’s latest claims show a willingness to exaggerate and mislead in an effort to undermine an industry that puts the health and safety of people and the environment at the core of its operations.

Coal seam gas

“The incident in the NSW Pilliga Forest was not caused by fracking. It was the result of a leak which developed in a holding pond built by the previous operator of a coal seam gas operation.

“Santos, the current operator, reported the leak to NSW regulators, has accepted the AU$ 1500 fine imposed by the EPA, and has decommissioned the containment pond and is building new treatment facilities and rehabilitating the area.

Oil and gas industry

“The actions of Santos show that the Australian oil and gas industry takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously.

“It’s a shame that the Greens and Mr Chapple don’t show a similar commitment to the truth.”

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/11032014/appea_responds_to_shale_gas_development_67/