Updated list of key events on fracking and onshore oil and gas in March

• Deadline for comments on drilling plans
• Decision on drilling applications
  
• Consultation deadlines
• Ineos news conference
• Energy conferences and shale forum
  
• Training and talks
  
• Film screening
• Frack Free Festival

Wednesday 11^th March 2015

Oral questions on fracking Impact of exploratory fracking schemes before granting consent for shale gas extraction, House of Lords Details

Thursday 12^th March 2015

Deadline for comments to public consultation on Rathlin Energy’s application for exploratory drilling at Ballinlea, Co Antrim. Planning application Email address for comments: mineralsenquiries@doeni.gov.uk ProtectOurNorthCoast campaign group

House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee conference for energy investors, specialists and campaigners on future challenges and opportunities. Free. Sold out but register for a place on the reserve list. Bloomberg, City Gate House, 39-45 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1PQ, 8.30-12 noon. Details

Deadline for statements and comments from interested parties in appeal by Dart Energy against Shropshire Council’s non-determination of its application for an exploratory coal bed methane borehole, Brooklands Farm, Dudleston, Ellesmere, Shropshire. Details Comments from Dart and Shropshire Council are due by 26th March.

Friday 13^th March 2015

Fracking talk Dafydd Wigley, Plaid Cymru member of the House of Lords, addresses a meeting on fracking at the Windsor Arms, Penarth 7.30pm Details

Saturday 14th March 2015

Climate Change Awareness Day, discussions about fracking and climate change. 12 noon at Fred Dibnah’s statue, Oxford Street, Bolton town centre and from 7.30pm at Bolton Socialist Club, 16 Wood Street, Bolton, BL1 1DY Details

Sunday 15^th March 2015

Consultation deadline Closing date for comments on Rathlin Energy application for proposed West Newton B exploratory well, north of Hull, East Yorkshire (extended from 20^th February). Details

Mother’s Day – Mothers Meeting: We need to talk about fracking Afternoon of cake, chat and crafts The Women’s Hall, High Street, Billingshurst RH14 9QT, 1pm-4pm Details

Monday 16^th March 2015

Shale gas and oil forum 2015, one-day conference. Speakers include: Matt Lambert, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Cuadrilla Resources; Andrew Austin, Chief Executive, IGas; David Messina, Managing Director, Hutton Energy; Honourable Artillery Company, City Road, London EC1Y 2B, 9am-6pm, Details

Tuesday 17^th March 2015

Planning application Neath Port Talbot Council considers a second application for test drilling in Foel Fynyddau, Pontrhydyfen, 2pm, Civic Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ Planning application

Anti-fracking demonstration Keep your fracking hands off Neath and Port Talbot, 1.30pm-4pm, Civic Centre, Port Talbot, SA13 1PJ Details

Ineos press conference at which the company is expected to outline plans for a shale gas community engagement programme. 10am, Ineos Exhibition Centre, Powdrake Road, Grangemouth FK3 9UR Details

Frack Free Notts public meeting: Demystifying the ‘Energy Security’ issue. 7pm-9pm, Vat and Fiddle, Queens Bridge Road, Nottingham, NG2 1NB Details

Thursday 19^th March 2015

Industrial & Power Association’s Power Scotland Conference, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD, 9am start. Speakers include: Fergus Ewing, Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism and Tom Greatrex MP, shadow energy minister. Details

Saturday 21^st March 2015

Reclaim the Power National Gathering, 12 noon-3pm, Wharf Chambers, Ground Floor, 23-25 Wharf Street, Leeds LS2 7EQ Details

Voices from the Gasfields, premiere screening, 7.30pm, Toll Gavel United Church, Tolll Gavel, Beverley, HU17 9AA Details

Saturday 28^th March 2015

Anti-fracking training: Know you rights by Seeds of Change and Frack Off, Friends Meeting House, Brighton BN1 1AF, 10.30am-5pm. For details and to book email brightonfrackingtraining@mail.com

Sunday 29^th March 2015

Anti-fracking training: Effective campaigning by Seeds of Change and Frack Off, Community Base, Brighton BN1 3XG, 10am-5pm. For details and to book email brightonfrackingtraining@mail.com

Frack Free Festival, 2pm-10pm, The Full Moon and Attic Bar, 1 North Street, Bristol BS1 3PR Details

[Updated 13/3/15 to include Reclaim the Power National Gathering]

Looking ahead

16^th April 2015 Closing date for consultation on permitted development rights for groundwater monitoring boreholes for petroleum exploration Details

[updated 17/3/15 to remove consideration of Rathlin Energy planning application for West Newton B. This has been deferred to allow time for an archaeological appraisal – see our report]