Fracking diary (Sept-Oct)
Saturday, 27 September 2014 Organising for a Frack-Free Future: facilitated discussions about fracking and climate change, 11am, The Cowley Club, London Road, Brighton, Details
Ruth Hayhurst
Investigative journalist and environmental writer. Specialising in UK onshore oil and gas, fracking and the reaction to it.
Government accused of ignoring opposition to trespass law change
Environmental campaigners and Scotland’s energy minister have criticised the government for ignoring opposition and going ahead with plans to change the trespass laws in favour of shale gas drilling. An industry group said the decision would pave the way for shale gas development in the UK.
Change to trespass law on track for drillers, despite 99% opposition
The government is going ahead with plans to change the trespass law to give underground access to oil and gas drilling companies, despite more than 40,000 objections.
IGas/Dart merger goes ahead before competition review concludes
IGas announced today it is going ahead with its acquisition of Dart Energy before the conclusion of an investigation by the UK Competition and Mergers Authority (CMA).
Date set for frack-free West Sussex council debate
West Sussex County Council has confirmed it will debate a motion to declare the county a Frack Free Zone at its next full council meeting.
Turn against fracking may have stopped but deep unease remains – latest survey
Researchers behind Nottingham University’s long-running survey of public attitudes to shale gas extraction say the turn against fracking after the Balcombe protests has bottomed-out – but deep-seated unease about fracking remains.
Regulator examines new procedures at West Newton drill site
The Environment Agency says it is examining new procedures at a Rathlin Energy gas drilling site in east Yorkshire, where local residents complained last week about a smell that was making them feel ill.
Energy minister dismisses fears about fracking
The government has dismissed concerns about the impact of fracking on health, water quality, climate change and local businesses. It also rejected criticism of conflicts of interest and a failure to take part in public debates about fracking.
Anti-frackers demand action at global climate marches
Thousands of opponents of fracking were among an estimated 0.5 million+ people who took part marches in more than 150 countries across the world demanding action on climate change.
“Stop the smell”, EA tells Rathlin Energy
The Environment Agency has instructed Rathlin Energy to stop the smell coming from its exploratory oil and gas well at West Newton in the Yorkshire Wolds after complaints from residents that it was making them feel sick.
DRILL OR DROP? 