LNG opponents target Christy Clark’s front lawn with fracking protest

VANCOUVER – Opponents of the British Columbia government’s liquefied natural gas plans set up a three-metre mock fracking rig on the premier’s front lawn on Sunday.

A small group from Rising Tide Vancouver Coast Salish Territories set up the mock rig and promised more protests to come in the western province as the provincial government is set to pursue a massive expansion of the LNG industry.

Maryam Adrangi, of the Council of Canadians, says there are already 23,000 plus fracking wells in operation in northern B.C.

Opponents of shale gas extraction say the method of injecting high-pressure water into ground to shatter rock and release the gas contaminates drinking water and causes other environmental problems, including earthquakes.

But proponents of the industry — including Premier Christy Clark — say it’s a billion-dollar industry that could change the face of B.C.

Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman just returned from a trip to Asia saying some final investment decisions are expected on some projects in the next year, and Clark will undertake her own trade mission to the region this month to further B.C.’s LNG prospects.