Reporting of the politics at national and local level of the shale gas and fracking debate
The MP for two West Sussex villages where Celtique Energie wants to drill for oil and gas said he hoped the company would lose its appeal against a refusal of planning permission. He also criticised Celtique for failing to reply to his letters.
Labour accused the government yesterday of taking a “lackadaisical” approach to regulating fracking by relying on voluntary agreements with the industry.
Anti-fracking campaigners say new government proposals could allow drilling companies to dump waste under private land without the owners’ permission.
East Sussex County Council has rejected calls for a ban on fracking in the county. This morning the lead cabinet member for transport and environment, Carl Maynard, turned down a request in a petition calling for the refusal of any attempt at fracking in East Sussex.
Events about fracking and onshore oil and gas during October 2014. Updated weekly. Sunday, 05 October 2014 Picnic at Horse Hill drilling site, 2pm, Horse Hill, near Horley, RH6 0RB Details
The government has appointed Professor John Loughhead, head of the UK Energy Research Centre, as the new Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. He replaces Sir David MacKay.
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
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.
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.
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.
DRILL OR DROP? 