Review of 2014
Catch up on the headlines with our quick review of fracking and onshore oil and gas news from 2014. Click here for our more detailed month-by-month round-up of the year, with links to posts and source material.
Ban fracking until human rights impact is known, Bianca Jagger to urge PM
The human rights campaigner, Bianca Jagger, will deliver a report to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday (26/11/14) urging the UK Government to investigate the human rights impact of fracking.
West Sussex councillors vote not to vote on fracking
Councillors in West Sussex decided this morning not to accept or reject a call to make the county a frack free zone. But they acknowledged the concerns of residents about fracking.
Guest post: Scientists refute lower emissions claim for fracking
Alex Kirby, of the Climate News Network, reports on a new study which warns that fracking will not rescue us from climate change because increased production of gas and rising demand for it will result in higher, not lower emissions. The argument that fracking can help to reduce […]
Government accused of relying on industry to regulate fracking
Labour accused the government yesterday of taking a “lackadaisical” approach to regulating fracking by relying on voluntary agreements with the industry.
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.
“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.
Breaking: South Downs NP rejects Fernhurst drilling
The planning committee of the South Downs National Park Authority has refused an application by Celtique Energie to drill an exploratory oil well near Fernhurst in West Sussex.
Guest post: Health alert over fracking’s chemical cocktails
19th August 2014 Tim Radford, of the Climate News Network, reports in this guest post on how scientists in the US have established that some chemicals used in the controversial process of fracking to extract gas and oil could represent health and environmental hazards.
MP criticises redacted fracking report
11th August 2014 The Green MP Caroline Lucas has accused the government of hiding information from the public on fracking after a report on the impact of shale gas on the rural economy was heavily redacted.
DRILL OR DROP? 