VZCZCXRO6018
RR RUEHGA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHHA #0073 3251916
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201916Z NOV 08
FM AMCONSUL HALIFAX
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1339
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0566
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHHA/AMCONSUL HALIFAX 1427
UNCLAS HALIFAX 000073
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAN; EB/ESC/ISC; OES/OMC
USDOE FOR IA (DEUTSCH)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EFIS SENV PGOV US CA
SUBJECT: NOVA SCOTIA AWAITING NEW USG POLICY ON GEORGES BANK
DRILLING
1. High-level officials in the Nova Scotia Department of Energy
told CG and visiting Canada Desk Director at a November 18
meeting that they are waiting to see how the new U.S.
administration defines its policy on oil and gas exploration and
drilling on Georges Bank as this could affect how the province
formulates its own policy. Georges Bank is a lucrative offshore
area located 100 miles off Cape Cod in the Gulf of Maine and is
shared by the United States and Canada. Because of
anti-drilling sentiment from U.S. and Canadian environmentalists
and fishing interests, both countries have had drilling
moratoria on their respective sides since 1988. Canada's
current moratorium will expire in 2012 and the debate has
already started on how the province should deal with the issue.
At the same time, New England environmentalists and fishing
industry stakeholders are pressing for a permanent ban on the
U.S. side. How the new administration responds to those demands
will be closely watched here.
2. As a minority government, the Government of Nova Scotia's
(GoNS) current position on the moratorium is understandably
cautious. Provincial Energy Minister Richard Hurlburt has
publicly stated that his government believes the fishing and oil
and gas industries can co-exist on the Bank, but also asserts
that there needs to be increased dialogue on the issue. Like in
New England, Nova Scotia's fishing industry and
environmentalists are steadfast in their view that any drilling
risks irreparable harm to the Bank. In fact, drilling opponents
have already formed a lobby group which is readying for a high
profile campaign should the province signal its intent to let
the moratorium expire.
3. In our discussion, the GoNS officials asserted that, in the
20 years since the moratoria were established, the oil and gas
industry has made notable progress developing environmentally
responsible offshore drilling practices that minimize impacts on
the marine environment. As an example, they pointed to Nova
Scotia's already operating Sable Island offshore natural gas
project on the Scotian Shelf, which has operated problem free
for years. The officials are hopeful that these positive
experiences will help convince exploration and drilling
opponents to embrace the Minister's co-existence approach. Nova
Scotia's energy sector shares this hope. The industry faces an
uncertain future since they have identified fewer exploitable
reserves than anticipated in and around the Scotian Shelf.
Georges Bank, however, offers much potential. Scientists
estimate the area contains one billion barrels of oil and 5.3
trillion cubic feet of natural gas, but they also see the need
to do more modern assessments, especially in the deeper water
around the Bank.
4. COMMENT: For now the province is anxious to see who gets
the nod as the new U.S. Energy Secretary and what the
appointment could mean for both sides of this issue. However,
time is not on the province's side. Under the terms of the
moratorium legislation, the province must decide by June 2010
which of three options it wants to exercise: let the moratorium
expire, enact another moratorium, or request a public review
panel to make a recommendation by 2012 on how to proceed.
FOSTER