While shale-gas drilling has been done in the United States since 1993, there are serious gaps in understanding its impact on air, water and the environment, the commissioners said.

The BAPE recommended the long-term study look at ?whether, on a socio-economic basis, shale gas should be produced in Quebec and how to maximize revenues from its production; the environmental impact and risks of shale-gas development and how to minimize their impact; improving regulations for the environmental assessment of gas exploration and production in the St. Lawrence River valley, and elsewhere in Quebec, and whether to create a scientific body to continue to collect data and update regulations as the industry evolves.