Reporting of the regulation of the shale oil and gas and hydraulic fracturing industry, including planning permissions and permits
On Tuesday November 5th, the heads of two fracking companies gave evidence to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee. They were asked about safety, public opinion, regulation, delays and the potential value of the fracking industry. Find out the key points of what they said and read […]
FrackFreeSussex has welcomed the unanimous vote by Wisborough Green Parish Council to oppose a planning application by Celtique Energie for an exploration rig near the village. The group said: “Brilliant example of what can be achieved, against all odds, when a community unites, plans and acts with one voice!” […]
The government’s health advisor says emissions from fracking are likely to be a low risk to public health – providing operations are properly run and regulated. Public Health England says shale gas extraction has the potential to cause pollution to air, land and water. But current evidence indicates […]
Balcombe Parish Council has delayed its village ballot on attitudes to oil exploration in the village because Cuadrilla’s latest planning application needs revision. West Sussex County Council has reported that Cuadrilla has not provided information needed to validate the application to test oil flow rates at its exploration […]
Balcombe Parish Council is to ballot villagers on their opinion on future oil and gas exploration in the area. The ballot, to be run by Electoral Reform Services, will inform the council’s future policy on exploration and extraction. It aims to collect opinions on: Cuadrilla’s application for planning […]
Last week, the European Parliament voted by 354 votes to 300 to extend compulsory Environmental Impact Assessments to hydraulic fracturing operations. The vote among UK MEPs was 29 in favour and 32 against. 8 UK MEPs were absent and 4 didn’t vote. Most […]
The Guardian reports that the Environment Agency banned Cuadrilla from using a hazardous chemical in its well at Balcombe but gave permission for another substance, despite residents’ concerns. Chris Wick, of the Environment Agency, told a meeting of around 270 Balcombe residents the banned chemical was antimony trioxide, […]
The chair of the Environment Agency, Chris Smith, has assured a Sussex MP that local water will be protected from any pollution caused by fracking at Balcombe or beyond. Lord Smith was responding to concerns raised by Lewes MP, Norman Baker, about the potential expansion of fracking across […]
The European Parliament has voted to make environmental impact assessments compulsory before fracking can go ahead. Under the current Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, many shale gas projects have avoided the need for an EIA because they extract less than 500,000 cubic metres a day. MEPs, who are reviewing the directive, […]
7-13th October Cuadrilla’s planning application to continue to explore for oil at Lower Stumble, Balcombe, expected to be publicised by West Sussex County Council Tuesday October 8th House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee discusses the economic impact on UK energy policy of shale gas and oil Deadline expires […]
DRILL OR DROP? 