Ryedale Tories reject government changes to fracking planning rules
A Conservative-led council which could see the first frack in North Yorkshire has overwhelming rejected government proposals to change planning policy for shale gas exploration.
Environment Secretary blocks oil drilling in the Surrey Hills to protect ancient woodland
The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has refused to renew a lease of land for oil drilling in Surrey because of the damage it could do to ancient woodland.
Picture Post: campaigners are “visionaries”, says shadow minister on visit to shale gas sites
Labour’s climate change spokesman, Barry Gardiner, today visited Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site near Blackpool, where fracking is imminent. He also went to Altcar Moss, a site near Formby earmarked for fracking by Aurora Resources.
Officials block release of details of minister’s talks with fracking industry
Most of the notes about a recent meeting between a minister and the shale gas industry have been redacted “in the public interest” or because they contained confidential information, a government department has said.
Government shale gas planning changes a “sad blow to public engagement” – Conservative council leader
The leader of Conservative-controlled Derbyshire County Council has said government plans designed to fast-track shale gas will cut local authorities out of decisions with the biggest impact on communities.
Health experts add to calls for investigation into impacts of fracking
Senior experts have signed a letter calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the health impacts of fracking.
Government report revealing shale gas extraction increases air pollution was unpublished for three years
A government report which concluded that shale gas extraction increases air pollution was unpublished for three years and then released just after ministers approved fracking in Lancashire.
Guest post: Government recruits fracking commissioner to “facilitate communication” with residents
By Chloe Farand, DeSmog UK. The UK government is recruiting a shale gas commissioner to “facilitate communication” with residents and promote what is sees as the benefits of a new fossil fuel industry. The position was announced days before the government gave the go-ahead for fracking to start in Lancashire.
Government presses ahead with planning policy changes on oil and gas – despite “limited support”
The government has made changes to national planning policy on onshore oil and gas even though most of the people who took part in a consultation disagreed with them.
Fracking has got off to a wrong start, seismologist tells coalfield MPs
Regulators of fracking were accused today of a “dereliction of duty” in their oversight of shale gas proposals in mining areas.
