Minister Introduces Amendments to Act

Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate, said amendments to the Petroleum Resources Removal Permit Act will strengthen the law and reduce the need for a bureaucratic permitting process. The act gives the province the power to control the export of natural gas liquids to ensure domestic needs are first met.

The amendments allow the province to control the export of such liquids through legally binding agreements directly with the producers, using the act as a backup to ensure compliance. The advantage is that such an arrangement will simplify procedures and eliminate the need to hire additional staff to administer the permitting process.

The amendment mirrors the process used in Alberta. The legislation is used as a backup measure that government can impose if a producer does not sign and comply with a petrochemical supply agreement.

"These amendments will continue to ensure that we meet the objective of guaranteeing that natural gas liquids are readily available to supply future petrochemical facilities in Nova Scotia without adding to the cost and size of the bureaucracy," said Mr.Balser.