Survey suggests local fracking support is a vote loser
Nearly a third of British voters said they would be less likely to vote for candidates who backed fracking in their own constituencies, according to a poll released today.
Don’t “gold-plate” human rights when dealing with protest camps – ministers
The government has instructed local councils and the police to do more to stop protest camps, including those against oil and gas operations.
600+ election candidates sign frack free promise
More than 600 would-be MPs have so far promised to oppose fracking, according to figures from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.
300+ MPs did not vote on underground waste disposal
A measure to take the siting of underground radioactive waste dumps out of local control came into force today after approval by only 277 of parliament’s 650 MPs. More than 300 MPs did not vote.
First Welsh shale planning application approved in forest beauty spot
Neath Port Talbot council has approved Wales’s first application to explore for shale gas. The council’s planning committee, meeting this afternoon, granted permission to UK Methane for an exploratory borehole for shale gas and coal bed methane in the Foel Fynyddau Forest, near Pontrhydyfen.
Fracking Week in Westminster w/e 13/3/15
Government ministers were challenged on the impacts of fracking during questions in both the House of Commons and the Lords. The pro-fracking peer, Lord Lawson, accused Lancashire County Council of trying to block shale gas development by “turning down every single application for exploratory drilling?” The chair […]
Community groups walk out of “flawed and biased” council fracking inquiry; council accuses them of discourtesy
A council fact-finding inquiry on fracking has become mired in recriminations. Local community groups have accused Cheshire West and Chester Council of a “flawed and biased process” in the way it ran the inquiry. They walked out of the most recent meeting, accusing the council of being heavily […]
‘Next government must stand up to fracking opposition’ – Yeo tells conference
The out-going chair of the Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee urged the next government to challenge opposition to fracking.
Rathlin blamed for bangs, smells and traffic
Rathlin Energy’s drilling operations in East Yorkshire have been heavily criticised by local people contributing to an official consultation. They accused the company of causing noise, damaging vibrations, light pollution, smells and extra traffic.
Government dismisses call for independent oversight of shale gas
The Energy Minister, Matthew Hancock, has insisted UK shale gas is already strongly regulated, in response to a call for independent scrutiny of the industry.
DRILL OR DROP? 