Another no—show by the industry for a fracking debate
15th July 2014 Another attempt at a balanced debate on hydraulic fracturing failed tonight because the pro-frackers again declined to take part.
Plans to restrict judicial review dropped
7/2/14 The government has dropped its plans to restrict campaigners from challenging planning decisions through the courts. The Minister of Justice (MoJ) recently consulted on a proposal to limit those eligible to take out a judicial review. But this was not included in the government’s response to the […]
Bigger funding cuts at the Environment Agency and greater cuts to services
Environment Data Services (ENDS) Report revealed today (17/1/14) that the Environment Agency has had its budget cut by £10m more than expected. The Environment Agency (EA) will receive £397.4m of revenue funding from the government for the year 2014-15, down from £467m in 2013-14. According to ENDS, the […]
Government fracking promise – bribe or pathetic crumbs from the Treasury’s table?
David Cameron announced this morning that councils would be able to keep 100% of business rates they collect from shale gas sites, up from the current figure of 50%. Speaking in Lincolnshire, he said this could be worth up to £1.7 million a year for a typical fracking […]
Government considers higher payments to fracking communities
The Times reports (9/1/14) the Government is prepared to give communities near fracking sites a bigger share of the proceeds, following pressure from backbench Conservative MPs. The paper said ministers are willing to reconsider the present proposals for community benefits which would give local groups 1 per cent […]
What do the Lib Dems really think about fracking?
On September 15th, the Lib Dem conference passed several motions on fracking. They were part of the party’s policy on transition to a zero carbon Britain. The motions on fracking (F10 4m and 4n) committed the party to: 4 (m) Limiting shale gas exploration until it has been shown […]
Balcombe anti-fracking campaigners take message to Downing Street
Campaigners opposed to Cuadrilla’s exploration site at Balcombe joined opponents of fracking from across the UK in writing a letter of protest to David Cameron. The letter included the views of people from areas being targeted by companies which want to exploit unconventional oil and gas. One section […]
What the frackers told the Lords
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 […]
Fracking could turn the world off fossil fuels – Gasland director
Widespread fracking could encourage people to support alternatives to fossil fuels, the director of Gasland 2 told a screening of the documentary in Lewes, Sussex, last night (23/10/13). Josh Fox said: “The way to get the world off fossil fuels is the number of places they want to […]
Coalition is chief flag-waver for frackers – Caroline Lucas
The Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, accused the government of being the flag-waver-in-chief for the fracking industry, after she appeared in court on charges following a protest at Cuadrilla’s site near Balcombe. In a statement made outside Crawley Magistrates Court, she said ministers were ignoring warnings on the […]
DRILL OR DROP? 