Public information tour on shale gas in Quebechttps://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2010/30/c5746.html
A Civic-Minded Industry - THE QOGA ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC INFORMATION TOUR ON SHALE GAS IN QUÉBEC
BÉCANCOUR, QC, Aug. 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Oil and Gas Association (QOGA) is proudly launching a vital public information campaign whose goal is to inform the public and answer all questions about the exploration and exploitation of shale gas in Québec. Bécancour Mayor Maurice Richard was on hand today when QOGA president André Caillé announced the tour at Bécancour City Hall.
"The Quebec Oil and Gas Association and its members considers acceptance by local communities an essential and vital factor for the exploration and exploitation of shale gases in Québec. This is why I will be present with credible experts to listen, consult and explain, in order to provide honest and transparent answers to questions from citizens and their elected officials," said Mr. Caillé.
The QOGA will invite the citizens to take part in a series of town hall meetings that will take place on September 14 in Bécancour, September 21 in Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière and September 28 in Saint-Hyacinthe. Attendees will be able to take advantage of these information sessions to have frank discussions directly with QOGA president André Caillé and several experts on shale gas.
The time and place of these town hall meetings will be announced in the coming days. We will publish public notices in local weeklies over the coming weeks. The goal is, of course, to enable as many citizens as possible to attend and express themselves in a respectful manner.
The QOGA will meet with top municipal, environmental, union and economic representatives in the coming weeks.
"We welcome the QOGA's initiative. It is highly important that our citizens receive high-quality, credible fact-based information. I hope the industry will be able to show that the exploration and exploitation of shale gas is a promising course of action for Québec's economic development in partnership with and in respect for local communities, and especially that it is mindful of quality of life and of the environment," said Bécancour mayor, Maurice Richard.
Exploring and exploiting shale gas is based on proven technology that is effective, safe, environmentally-friendly and now available. Québec will be able to profit from extracting natural gas on its territory from abundant reserves that were once inaccessible and will help ensure our energy independence.
"The emergence of a new gas-based economy in Québec will greatly contribute to our increased collective wealth, strengthen our competitiveness and will create high-level quality jobs in the sustainable development sector across all regions of Québec," added Mr. Caillé.
BAPE HEARINGS
The QOGA is committed to collaborating openly with the BAPE initiative announced yesterday by the Québec government. "The industry did not wish for this scenario. However, as soon as the government made this decision, we took this opportunity to share our vision and state our case. We believe that this provides a chance for credible experts to show that exploring and exploiting shale gas can be achieved in Québec in an environmentally-friendly manner that is respectful toward local communities. Nevertheless, it is essential to maintain a climate that encourages investment in order to favour Québec's economic growth," Mr. André Caillé emphasized.
The Quebec Oil and Gas Association (QOGA) was founded in April 2009. It represents and promotes the interests of a responsible industry that seeks to contribute to the energy diversification of Québec in a manner that is respectful to the environment and the communities. The mission of its members is to work at drawing full value from Québec's energy resources in a manner that will drive the province's economic development.