APPEA Chief Operating Officer Western Region Stedman Ellis said the EPA has outlined a pragmatic and responsible approach to the approval of more advanced projects, based on a comprehensive and scientifically-based assessment of risk.
“In doing so, it has clearly rejected the alarmist view that shale and tight gas projects cannot be developed safely,” Mr Ellis said.
“Instead, the EPA has effectively said that new proposals should be considered on their merits and, if approved, be required to operate in accordance with strict regulations.”
Mr Ellis added that the new guidelines provide certainty for companies by making clear what information would be required by the EPA when considering new projects, and while the level of information required is extensive, industry recognises that the EPA is responding to community concerns.
“The community can be confident, however, that any proposal that is subject to a formal impact assessment in the future will have been through an extremely comprehensive and rigorous process,” Mr Ellis said.