Fracking 'not significant' cause of large earthquakes
A new study suggests the controversial drilling technique 'fracking' is not a significant cause of large earthquakes.
Fracking to resume in Lancashire
The Government has given the green light for "fracking" for shale gas to resume in Lancashire.
Fracking could get go ahead says new report
Controversial gas technique fracking could go ahead if it is well regulated according to a new report.
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Anti fracking campaigners - 'government strategy is utterly insane'
The Government has given the green light for "fracking" for shale gas to resume in Lancashire.
Moves by gas company Cuadrilla to exploit the unconventional gas were put on hold 18 months ago after fracking, which uses high-pressure liquid to split rock and extract gas, caused two small earthquakes.
– Lilly Morse, Campaigner, Frack OffThe long expected announcement that the government will allow fracking companies to continue attempts at exploitation of unconventional gas is the start of a major battle over what sort of world we will leave to our children.
The government and industry’s promises of cheap, abundant gas are deluded. In the US the gas bubble has already burst with fracking companies on the verge of bankruptcy. Drilling has ground to a halt and gas prices have doubled since the begining of the year”
The governments strategy of relying on fracking to fuel a new wave of gas fired power stations is utterly insane.
Cuadrilla release statement on fracking
Cuadrilla sees today’s announcement as a significant step in the future development of the UK’s onshore gas industry.
The company is ready to move ahead with its plans, involving the hydraulic fracturing and flow testing of a number of wells in Lancashire in 2013.
Before these further exploration and testing plans can proceed, Cuadrilla will work closely with DECC and its representatives, Lancashire County Council, the Environment Agency, the HSE, the local communities and other relevant parties to obtain regulatory approvals and planning permission.
– Francis Egan, CEO of Cuadrilla Resources.“Today’s news is a turning point for the country's energy future. Shale gas has the potential to create jobs, generate tax revenues, reduce our reliance on imported gas, and improve our balance of payments.”
"Our exploration has shown that under Lancashire there is a belt of gas-filled shale over one mile thick. Today’s decision will allow continued exploration and testing of the UK’s very significant shale resources in a way that fulfils the highest environmental and community standards.”
In cooperation with DECC, Cuadrilla has already taken a number of steps to further reduce environmental risk. Key among these is an advanced system for seismic monitoring that allows Cuadrilla and DECC to closely monitor and regulate hydraulic fracturing activity.
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Greenpeace: "Fracking dream is dangerous fantasy"
The Government has given the green light for "fracking" for shale gas to resume in Lancashire.
Greenpeace energy campaigner Leila Deen said: "George Osborne's dream of building Dallas in Lancashire is dangerous fantasy. He is not JR Ewing and this is not the US."
– Greenpeace energy campaigner Leila Deen"Energy analysts agree the UK cannot replicate the American experience of fracking, and that shale gas will do little or nothing to lower bills.
"Pinning the UK's energy hopes on an unsubstantiated, polluting fuel is a massive gamble and consumers and the climate will end up paying the price."
The go-ahead for fracking to resume came as the Government's climate advisers warned that a continued reliance on gas would push up consumer bills by hundreds of pounds more than if there was a shift towards low-carbon power such as wind.
The Committee on Climate Change's chief executive, David Kennedy, dismissed claims that exploiting shale gas in the UK and Europe could push down gas prices.
He said it was not a "game changer" on this side of the Atlantic as it could only meet a relatively small share of gas demand.
Fracking to resume in Lancashire
The Government has given the green light for "fracking" for shale gas to resume in Lancashire.
Read the full storyFracking protestors fear Government backing for the drilling
Protestors who oppose drilling for shale gas in the North West say they fear the Government has given a big hint that it supports the controversial process known as fracking.
Fracking involves pumping water into the ground to fracture shale rocks to extract gas, which can be used for power.
The process has been blamed for causing minor earthquakes on the Lancashire Coast.
Today, in his Autumn statement, the Chancellor George Osborne said he was prepared to consider giving tax breaks to companies involved in drilling.
Public meeting over 'fracking' for gas in Lancashire
A public meeting's being held tonight over the controversial technique of 'fracking' for gas in Lancashire.
Opposition groups and the America company Quadrilla are due to take part.
The practice, which involves pumping fluid at high pressue into underground rock, has been blamed for two small earthquakes near Blackpool.
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Fracking could get go ahead says new report
Controversial gas technique fracking could go ahead if it is well regulated according to a new report.
Read the full storyNew study recommends fracking distance limit
Controversial "fracking" for shale gas should only take place at least 600 metres down from aquifers used for water supplies.
Read the full storyStudy recommends fracking distance limit
A new study has recommended that "fracking" for shale gas should only take place at least 600 metres down from channels carrying water supplies.
It says the controversial process can cause fractures in the ground that could reach nearby water sources. It's been claimed the flammable methane gas can pollute drinking water.
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