Investigative journalist and environmental writer. Specialising in UK onshore oil and gas, fracking and the reaction to it.
Research from the US calls for a halt to fracking. A report from Environment America says fracking produces enormous volumes of toxic waste water that once brought to the surface poses hazards for drinking water, air quality and public safety. The report also says fracking requires huge volumes of […]
A majority of people attending a public debate on fracking in Lewes, Sussex, last night (October 7th 2013) opposed the technique for extracting gas or oil. A show of hands at the beginning and end of the event suggested a small number of people were undecided about fracking, […]
A geophysicist has questioned government assurances fracking is unlikely to contaminate groundwater supplies. David Smythe, Emeritus Professor of Geophysics at the University of Glasgow, told a public debate on fracking in Lewes the assurances were informed by evidence from the US that was not relevant to Britain. Professor […]
West Sussex County Council confirms it is asking the remaining anti-fracking campaigners outside Cuadrila’s Balcombe site to go home. The designated protest area established outside the site last month has been removed. The council says it wants to reinstate the protest area because it is concerned about the […]
7-13th October Cuadrilla’s planning application to continue to explore for oil at Lower Stumble, Balcombe, expected to be publicised by West Sussex County Council Tuesday October 8th House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee discusses the economic impact on UK energy policy of shale gas and oil Deadline expires […]
The Blackpool Gazette reports Cuadrilla has pulled out of one of its potential fracking sites on the Lancashire coast. The company says it will not seek consent to frack for gas at Anna’s Road in Westby because of “technical constraints related to wintering birds”. Drilling was restricted to a […]
Evidence submitted by Bloomberg New Energy Finance to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee (2/10/2013) suggests exploitation of shale in the UK could provide a new source of natural gas but it will not be “a panacea for bringing down gas and electricity bills.” Research by the […]
The Environment Agency reports the green colour of a stream near Cuadrilla’s Balcombe drilling site is still unconfirmed but probably a green dye. Update to Timeline – October 2013
2/10/13 Environment Agency investigates possible pollution of a stream near Cuadrilla’s exploration site at Balcombe. Villagers report a section of the stream has turned bright green. The Agency says an initial visit found no evidence of “significant environmental harm” or threat to local water supply. Field measures show there […]
Update to Timeline – October 2013 2/10/13 Dates have been set for the first trials of anti-fracking campaigners, arrested following protests outside Cuadrilla’s exploration site at Balcombe. A review of the cases set 12 separate court dates for nearly 30 campaigners. A further 32 people had their cases […]
DRILL OR DROP? 