A network of anti-fracking groups is urging supporters to prepare for a government U-turn on the moratorium in England.
Frack Free United urged its supporters to remain vigilant with the imminent submission of a report on the science of fracking, due by Thursday (30 June 2022).
The energy secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, who commissioned the report, said in a recent speech he would “consider the next steps”.
A moratorium on fracking in England has been in force since November 2019. This was introduced after fracking by Cuadrilla at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire caused a series of small earthquakes, one felt across the region.
In a newsletter, Frack Free United warned:
“The Minister may give the green light to a U-turn on fracking and we need to be prepared.
“We must remain vigilant and, more importantly, connected.
“We must continue to lobby for change in the places that matter and make policymakers aware of the strength of feeling against oil and gas companies wanting to invade our communities.”
Mr Kwarteng said he had asked the British Geological Survey to look again at the science around shale gas extraction following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. He added:
“We have always been clear that shale gas could be part of our future energy mix, but we need to be led by the science and above all we need to have the support, the ongoing support of local communities.”
Steve Mason, from Frack Free United, tweeted in response to Mr Kwateng’s speech:
“Fracking free groups are on high alert tonight. Enough is enough. Communities in 190+ constituencies need certainty. … Or get ready for the division, disruption and no joke neighbourly distasteful attitudes all over again. They’ve not gone away, just rested.”
He said in the newsletter that the transition to renewables was gaining pace.
“Putting the breaks on now is reckless and foolhardy for our country, communities and climate change.”
Frack Free United has called for an immediate ban on fracking in the UK because of the operation’s impact on climate, public health, the environment, local communities and the economy. It also said the UK needed to “invest heavily in clean renewable energy and move rapidly towards a low carbon economy”.
Last week, UKOOG, the organisation representing shale gas companies, urged the government to lift the moratorium so that its members could take advantage of tax breaks for exploration investment introduced in the Energy Profits Levy, or windfall tax.
Analysis by the Labour Party, quoted by the Guardian today, estimated fracking companies would receive £92.50 from the tax payer for every £100 invested. This compared with £25, due to fall to £4.50 next year, for renewables companies.
A consultation on the Energy Profits Levy Bill closes tonight (28 June 2022) at 11.45pm.
Categories: Opposition
DRILL OR DROP? 
No fracking
hi everyone, can someone please let Frack Free United aware of the Terror Act 2000. Here is a link to the relevant information, and pay special attention to Section 2 articles b, c and d, as fracking breaches all of them. And get the unions involved too https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/part/I
With regard to the unions the GMB back in 2016 said “No fracking means the UK will rely on ‘henchman, hangmen and head-choppers’ for gas says GMB.”. How accurate their predictions were; no fracking and we are reliant.
Maybe unions will be interesting in supporting a reliable source of energy which by replacing imported LNG will reduce carbon emissions.
Maybe the unions will be interested in changing an energy policy which has prioritised weather dependent “green” fuels with very little consideration for cost to the hard pressed consumer, the security of supply.
Maybe be the unions want to change a policy which has contributed to a situation where the government is planning for possible electricity rationing for 6 million homes this winter.
My union, which is a collection of UK workers not interested in political nonsense, are very used to working in this country to provide support for others living in this country. They know without that fundamental, there would be no need for their work and it would simply be done by others over the horizon, who might do it cheaper but might also do it less well.
Not an opinion. A fact that is substantiated by all global reports regarding production and shipments of oil and gas.
I thought one of the platforms for union bosses to earn such large salaries after being voted in by around 5% of the membership, was their intention to support jobs for UK workers, not the jobs of overseas workers? Mind you, the union for the shipping industry and dock/terminal workers may have a different opinion!