Study raises concerns over fracking’s impact on Westen Canadian dams
Hydro says no chance of fracking causing a dam breach, but damage possible
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is calling for stricter limits on hydraulic fracturing near BC Hydro dams, after a freedom of information request revealed longstanding concerns over the potential for fracking-induced earthquakes to damage Peace River hydroelectric infrastructure.
The left-leaning think tank released a report based on internal communications between BC Hydro and the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) dating back to 2009, when concerns arose over coal bed methane development and “induced” seismic events.
Ben Parfitt, a Resource Policy Analyst with the CCPA, said fracking-linked earthquakes have grown in intensity, topping out with a record-setting 4.6 quake linked to Progress Energy drilling last summer.
He said the research highlights the need for firm setbacks between fracking operations and dams. He characterized the existing regulations as unwritten “gentlemen’s agreements” between the OGC and BC Hydro.
“Hydro was very clearly alarmed at the proposed plans (for coal bed methane development) at that time, which called for around 300 wells, some of them in fairly close proximity to its Peace Canyon dam,” he said of emails received in response to an FOI request earlier this year. “The fear within Hydro was it was possible for an induced event from fracking activities to be more powerful than what their Peace Canyon dam was designed to withstand.”
The OGC, however, says the concerns are overstated and that existing regulations adequately protect BC Hydro dams.