The Green Alliance, a environmental think-tank, asked this question at its annual debate in London last night. Below are selections from the speeches of the four participants. Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion “Exploitation of finite resources can never be sustainable.“ “The question of whether it […]
Can fracking be sustainable? This is the subject of the Green Alliance Annual Debate in London tonight (Monday November 11th). It is expected to focus on the compatibility of shale gas exploitation and decarbonisation of the energy sector. The speakers are: Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton […]
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 […]
Balcombe Parish Council has posted a video of the first part of a meeting between villagers and the Environment Agency which discussed regulation at Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site. About 270 people attended the meeting, on October 9th, with more listening outside. At the meeting, the Environment Agency confirmed […]
The veteran environment journalist, Geoffrey Lean, says there is no sign that opposition to fracking is softening in Sussex. This week Mr Lean chaired a meeting between Balcombe villagers and the Environment Agency. He says around 300 people attended the meeting and none of the questions or comments […]
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 […]
In an open letter to West Sussex County Council, 17 Balcombe residents call for further protest against fracking after their “pretty miserable summer” caused by Cuadrila’s exploration for oil. The letter says opponents of the operation fought to be heard by local and national government and the regulators. […]
The Environment Agency reports the green colour of a stream near Cuadrilla’s Balcombe drilling site is still unconfirmed but probably a green dye. Update to Timeline – October 2013
2/10/13 Environment Agency investigates possible pollution of a stream near Cuadrilla’s exploration site at Balcombe. Villagers report a section of the stream has turned bright green. The Agency says an initial visit found no evidence of “significant environmental harm” or threat to local water supply. Field measures show there […]
DRILL OR DROP? 