Should fracking be allowed to restart in the UK?
High-volume hydraulic fracturing for shale gas remains under a moratorium in England since 2019 and is subject to a planned legislative ban in the upcoming Energy Independence Bill under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, while low-volume techniques like proppant squeeze are exempt and some exploration permits are under consultation. Moratoriums exist across all UK nations due to earthquake risks and environmental concerns. The policy affects energy security, local communities near potential sites, and the transition away from fossil fuels.
5 Opinions
There were problems when it was allowed previously. We aren't the size of the US, houses and protection for countryside and wildlife are more important. Stick to real renewables, not something that will yield little for the effort to get it.
The same as new oil sites in the North Sea, we should optimise, not prevent, our use of own natural resources rather than just keep importing.
Ridiculous pollution for a tiny amount of gas.
The UK's annual gas consumption is currently around 70 billion cubic metres (bcm). The Bowland Shale in northern England in-place resource is estimated by British Geological Survey for 23,000 – 65,000 bcm, with current methods 1,800 – 13,000 bcm could be extracted (8%–20% recovery). Assuming 7000 bcm, this one source would could be enough for 100 years of current gas demand. We have also other geological formations with identified shale gas potential. The sooner the better.
Ed Davey played a blinder on the "earthquakes", guessing that no one in Parliament knows what logarithmic scales are. He set the seismic limit for our test sites lower than that of a building site using heavy machinery, and no one noticed. The ridiculously low limit was breached. Job done. Then Milivolt filled the holes with concrete.