The government released the final report on August 28, 2014 and said they'd consider the report as part of its decision on the role of hydraulic fracturing in the development of onshore oil and gas resources.
The report is 387 pages, so for brevity, here's a summary:
Summary of the Wheeler Report on
Hydraulic Fracturing in Nova Scotia
Overview
The Wheeler Report was commissioned by the Province of Nova Scotia and conducted by an independent panel under the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment at Cape Breton University. The panel consisted of experts from multiple disciplines, including Aboriginal law, environmental science, public health, petroleum geology, and social science.
The study was based on six months of research, public consultations, and stakeholder input. Over 1,200 people attended public meetings, and 238 formal submissions were reviewed.
Key Findings
- The report concludes that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) should not proceed at this time in Nova Scotia due to significant knowledge gaps, public opposition, and unresolved risks.
- A precautionary approach is recommended, with further independent research needed to assess the economic, social, environmental, and community health impacts of fracking.
- Public opposition to fracking is strong. Polling data shows a majority of Nova Scotians oppose fracking, with only about 40% in support, even with stringent regulations.
- Indigenous concerns were highlighted, particularly regarding treaty rights and the duty to consult. The report states that Mi’kmaq consent would likely be required if fracking were to proceed.
- Environmental and health risks are not fully understood, and the regulatory framework to manage these risks is not yet sufficient.
Position on Fracking
The report does not explicitly call for a permanent ban but strongly discourages proceeding with fracking at this time. Instead, it advocates for a period of learning and dialogue, community engagement, and further research before any decision is made.
In summary, the authors do not support fracking in Nova Scotia under current conditions. They recommend a cautious, research-driven approach before considering any development in the future.
An Update From Dr. David Wheeler, February 25, 2025
On CBC Information Morning - NS with Portia Clark Feb. 24, 2025 the topic was: Should N.S. lift the ban on fracking? It starts, "Last week, the provincial government put forward a bill that would lift the ban on hydraulic fracturing. We talk to the man who wrote the report on fracking that informed the former government's legislation to ban the practice. He shares his thoughts on whether it would be a viable option to make the province more self-reliant in the face of U.S. tariffs.
00:01 Preston: Last week, the provincial government put forward a bill that would lift the ban on hydraulic fracturing. It would amend the Petroleum Resources Act to create the potential for fracking to access onshore natural gas. Now, according to Premier Tim Houston, that could help make the province more self-reliant in the face of potential U.S. tariffs. The former Liberal government passed the legislation that banned fracking in 2014. In 2014, David Wheeler was president of Cape Breton University at the time and chair of the Nova Scotia Hydraulic Fracturing Review Panel. And he joins us now. Good morning, David.
00:34 Dr. David Wheeler: Good morning, Preston.
00:35 Preston: So what do you think about this current government's attempt to lift the decade-long ban on fracking?
00:41 Dr. David Wheeler: Well, listen, I have the greatest respect for Premier Houston and his drive and his intelligence. But I do think that this decision... ...will end up being a massive distraction for him and his government. I have to say the file was badly mishandled by the previous government. They didn't follow through on our recommendations, which would have kept the conversation going, the research going, and there would be a much stronger basis for public policymaking. But, of course, that didn't happen. And now, in the absence of sufficient research and information, ... ... I think that this attempt to revive the conversation will not end well. It has to be said that the pace for fracking can be made by its proponents on the basis of most of the smaller risks being manageable through effective regulations and other mechanisms. And our panel was very clear on making that point, whether it's protection for water source. avoidance of spills and so on. Good regulations should cover most of those eventualities. But, of course, in the intervening period, between 2014 and now, the world really has woken up to the threat of climate change even more than it had in that time. Right. And so I think it's pretty well unthinkable that it would make sense for Nova Scotia to revisit the exploration Right. Right.
02:24 Preston: development of shale gas at this point. Back in 2014, what was the bottom line in your review?
02:29 Dr. David Wheeler: Well, we didn't endorse fracking and we didn't say that it should never happen. But we did apply what is called the precautionary principle, which means you don't do anything with unknown risks. And so risks can only really be established jurisdiction by jurisdiction. So something that may be safe or unsafe in the U.S. may or may not be safe or unsafe in Nova Scotia. So we basically recommended that there should be continued research, discussion about risks, and then the government of the day or whatever day could make an informed decision.
03:07 Preston: It does sound like the Premier heard you in a way. I mean, he said that extensive assessments and research will be done prior to any fracking that does take place here.
03:16 Dr. David Wheeler: Yes. And so one would welcome that. And I think it's the sensible way to proceed if that's indeed what he and his government decide to do. But I do think that he would be opening a Pandora's box of opposition and distraction. And I think there are far better ways for the province to establish resilience in its economy and for its people than pursuing this, because any economic benefit for Nova Scotians would be many years in the future. At which point, the world will look very different anyway. We'll be well beyond the Trump presidency. And I think it's pretty much a long-term bet, even if the resource is there, which, of course, is not proven. It's all potential based on analysis of the government.
04:07 Preston: What did your report say in 2014 about any potential threat to public health? Was there evidence at the time, aside from the hazards around climate change, but direct to public health? What were you concerned about, if anything, back then?
04:21 Dr. David Wheeler: We had an eminent member of our panel, Frank Atherton, who is now Sir Frank Atherton, because he led the response to COVID in Wales. But at the time, we were very fortunate to have him in Nova Scotia. And Frank was very balanced and said, you know, look, the public health risk can be managed. But there are also potential health upsides. If you have people with more money in their pockets, and Nova Scotians are more wealthy, and they're more able to then you'll get health benefits that way. So he was by no means knee-jerk anti-fracking. He took a very balanced view. And as I say, was and is a very eminent public health scientist. But I do think that all of our panellists were united on the fact that whereas we could manage risks, they had to be properly evaluated. And they had to be researched, and they had to be addressed in the Nova Scotia context.
05:20 Preston: Can you sum up for me exactly what threat fracking poses to climate change?
05:26 Dr. David Wheeler: Well, what has become very clear in recent years, even more so, I have to say, than in 2014, when we delivered our nearly 400-page report, is that fracking is associated with a lot of emissions of methane, leakage of methane, during the process of extracting the fracked gas. And so as a contributor to climate change, it's not just about the gas. It's removed and then burned. And then you have the downstream emissions. It's very, very clear now that the fugitive emissions, the emissions that just emerged from the ground because of the activity, are massive. And of course, methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas even than carbon dioxide. So I think most informed opinion would say, let's get out of fracked gas anyway, but certainly not open up new sources of fracked gas in any jurisdiction that is serious, about its commitments to climate action.
06:22 Preston: Understanding that, is there potential for investment, job creation, if we start fracking here?
06:29 Dr. David Wheeler: You know, first of all, you'd need to determine that there was enough gas there to exploit, which requires some experimental fracking to demonstrate that. Otherwise, all the figures that are produced by the government on potential trillions of cubic feet are meaningless. So what would have to establish there was a resource, that would take several years, you would then have to go through the process of permitting such activities. And based on the level of opposition we discovered when we were doing the study, I mean, that would be immense in Nova Scotia, it would lead to a lot of political back pressure. So, you know, you'd be looking at jobs potentially in seven, eight, nine, 10 years. So a long time in the future, even if you could demonstrate there was a resource, and even if you could prove it could work. be done safely. So I don't believe that in terms of job creation, this is actually a very positive or powerful way forward. I think it may just be a distraction and a waste of time.
07:32 Preston: David Wheeler, I appreciate your thoughts. You're most welcome, Chris. David Wheeler led the Nova Scotia Hydraulic Fracturing Review Panel back in 2014, and we've requested an interview with the Minister of Energy.
In Summary
By the time fracking exploration could determine fracking in Nova Scotia is worthwhile, the world will have transistioned away for more oil & gas development and the taxpayers will be left with environmental cleanup and more fracking wastewater to dispose of. As well, the opposition from future governments and residents will become insurmountable — there will be noting left but bad memories of Tim Houston's government.
