Alberta is looking at updating its regulatory framework for hydraulic fracturing practices.
As a farmer and rural land owner, I particularly like the idea of having baseline studies of ground water quality done before development occurs. This is an essential element of protecting rural land owner interests.
The second step is to have the government and industry collaborate on a no-fault insurance policy that covers neighbors who experience degraded ground water quality after hydraulic fracturing has occurred. Proving fault should be left to negotiations between insurance companies and petroleum companies instead of requiring the injured party having to prove fault on the part of the developer.
