Nova Scotia government commissions independent review of fracking

HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia government is launching an external review of the effects of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

The review will be led by David Wheeler, the president of Cape Breton University and an expert on water quality and groundwater pollution.

Energy Minister Charlie Parker says Wheeler will hold public consultations and speak with experts about the social, economic, environmental and health impacts of the controversial practice.

Fracking involves extracting natural gas trapped in shale rock through the use of chemically treated water and sand into a well bore.

Critics say the process could compromise groundwater but the energy industry says fracking is safe and does not harm the environment.

The government launched its own review in 2011, but Parker says Nova Scotians have been calling for an independent study.

A spokesman for the province’s Energy Department says work from the internal review will be incorporated into the independent review.

In 2012, the government implemented a two-year moratorium on fracking.