Oil companies operating in Surrey have played regulators off against each other, failed to consult with residents and lacked professional advisers, the chair of the county council’s planning committee has complained.
Cuadrilla has confirmed there was a 0.4 magnitude earth tremor while it was fracking at its Preston New Road shale gas site this afternoon.
Government proposals designed to speed-up fracking decisions are unclear, inappropriate and unjustified, a group of planning experts have said.
By Chloe Farand, DeSmog UK An investigation has been launched into allegations that the judge who handed three fracking protesters “manifestly excessive” jail sentences has family ties to the oil and gas industry.
Several shale gas wells in production would be seen as success by the government, according to recently released notes of a round-table meeting between the energy minister and the industry.
In this week’s listings: Deadline for comments on government consultation on changes to shale gas planning rules; Parliamentary meeting on government’s permitted development and NSIP proposals; Public meeting on production plans for Horse Hill oil site in Surrey; Film screenings; Campaign meetings.
A crowd estimated at more than 1,000 shouted “Cuadrilla go home” at a climate rally outside the company’s fracking site near Blackpool today.
The British Geological Survey recorded a small earth tremor today near Cuadrilla’s fracking site on the edge of Blackpool. This follows three micro-seismic events yesterday.
The three anti-fracking campaigners released from jail by the Court of Appeal yesterday said they would continue to take direct action against fossil fuels until they saw change.
The energy minister who promotes economic benefits of shale gas has not visited a site, she said this week. She also appears to have back-tracked on hints that she might relax rules on earthquakes induced by fracking.
DRILL OR DROP? 