I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Bromley on February 19, 2013, to the honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, regarding flaring at petroleum exploration and production sites.

In his first question, Mr. Bromley asked what standards will be in place in the Northwest Territories to govern gas flaring at petroleum exploration and production sites of horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations.

While not the primary regulator in this area, the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to work with other authorities to ensure a robust system is in place in the NWT to address potential impacts on air quality. As outlined in the GNWT response to Committee Report 6-17(3), GNWT departments are developing a policy framework around the use of hydraulic fracturing technologies in the NWT. This policy framework will cover, amongst other items, air emissions from exploration sites. It is our expectation that this policy framework, once finalized, will guide the GNWT and other regulators in this area.

We anticipate this work will be completed in advance of the 2013 winter drilling season.

In his second question, Mr. Bromley asked about toxic emissions at flaring sites.

An outlined earlier, the GNWT is currently working on the development of a policy framework around the use of hydraulic fracturing technologies in the NWT. This work is expected to be completed by the fall of 2013 and will address, amongst other things, air emissions.

Mr. Bromley also asked about the proximity of developments in relation to human activity.

Mr. Speaker, the primary regulator in this area is the National Energy Board (NEB). That body determines the conditions under which flaring is permitted at upstream oil and gas operations in the NWT. Detailed and acceptable design requirements for flaring and acceptable proximity to human habitation or activity are subject to standards established or adopted by the NEB.

In his final question, Mr. Bromley asked about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from flaring sites.

Mr. Speaker, GHG emissions from exploratory flaring will be greatly influenced by the geology in the area as well as systems used by proponents.

It should be noted that NWT GHG emissions from government operations are down some 30 percent from 2007 levels. This success, along with the recent expansion of the GHG Strategy to cover government, industry and community activities, will help ensure the GNWT takes an informed approach to the monitoring and management of territorial GHG emissions.

Complementing these efforts and activities is work currently underway by Environment Canada on the establishment of GHG regulations for the upstream oil and gas industry. Environment and Natural resources is engaged in these consultations and is expecting to see draft regulations some time in 2013.