Natural Resources committee  In Alberta, in particular, and with respect to coal bed methane development, the Energy Resources Conservation Board, the oil and gas regulator, does require water well testing. There are specific geographic constraints--a lateral distance from the proposed well where water wells must be tested in advance of drilling and fracturing of the coal bed methane.

Natural Resources committee  The National Energy Board, to the best of my knowledge, reviews Canada's unconventional resources from time to time. I'd like to give some perspective. We prepared, in spring 2010, an assessment of Canada's unconventional gas resources, and that report is available on our website.

Natural Resources committee  I don't know.

Natural Resources committee  I think it's important to realize that shale gas is like any other natural gas resource. In some areas the emissions associated with development are higher than our traditional average conventional supply. In other places, the emissions and the CO2 content of the gas stream are lower than in our traditional average gas supply.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today. The Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas is a not-for-profit association, formed in 2002, with a focus on broadening the understanding of unconventional natural resources and the technology to develop those resources among industry, governments, regulators, and the public.