January 2016 fracking headlines
Our digest of January’s headlines about fracking, shale and onshore oil and gas developments – and reaction to them, including:
Female, middle-aged, professionals in villages – most likely opponents of fracking, survey finds
Fracking opponents are most likely to be women, aged 45-64, doing managerial or professional work and living in rural areas, according to the latest findings of an ongoing government survey of public attitudes to shale gas.
Ryedale anti-fracking protest outside MP’s surgery
Opponents of fracking in Ryedale took their message directly to their MP yesterday (30/1/2016) with a protest outside Kevin Hollinrake’s constituency surgery in Thirsk.
Fracking Week In Westminster – w/e 29th January 2016
In this Fracking Week in Westminster Peers discuss coal bed methane extraction in the Forest of Dean Questions on methane emissions from shale gas sites and funding for fracking ‘Permission in principle’ and fracking Kevin Hollinrake’s debate on shale gas and the economy
35+ UK events for No Fracking Way weekend
From Lochaber in the Scottish Highland to Portland on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset: more than 30 anti-fracking groups are organising events at the weekend.
Swansea Council votes against fracking
Labour-led Swansea Council has voted overwhelmingly to take a stand against fracking. It is the fifth council in under a fortnight to criticise the process (details).
IGas applies for permit for Misson shale gas site but planning decision faces delay
A public consultation is underway into IGas’s application for an environmental permit to drill for shale gas at a site at Misson in north Nottinghamshire. But a decision on the planning application for the scheme to drill two exploratory wells at land off Springs Road faces a delay.
Photograph: Work underway at IGas shale gas site
IGas has wasted no time beginning work at its proposed fracking site at Misson in north Nottinghamshire. Equipment arrived today, just over a week after permission was granted for groundwater monitoring boreholes.
Fracking too good to pass up, says Ryedale MP
Britain can’t afford to ignore the opportunities offered by shale gas, the MP Kevin Hollinrake told a debate in the House of Commons this morning.
Study finds methane leaks from 30% of abandoned wells – but emissions average less than a single cow
A study of decommissioned onshore oil and gas wells in the UK found that 30% were leaking methane. But the average leak produced lower emissions than a breeding dairy cow.
DRILL OR DROP? 