Moving decisions on fracking plans to a national level contradicts the principles of localism and would probably exacerbate mistrust between communities and the industry, MPs said today.
The shale gas industry and its opponents had a rare moment of agreement in a committee room in Westminster this week.
A policy requiring a distance of 500m between homes and fracking sites in North Yorkshire got official backing today – but the fracking industry immediately threatened to challenge it in court.
The Government expects the UK to have 30-35 unconventional oil and gas sites by 2022 and 155 wells by 2025, according to an unpublished report.
Students looking for a career in the onshore oil and gas industry were expected to enrol in a new national college this month.
The organisation representing the onshore oil and gas industry has called on the government to educate people about the country’s energy needs. It also urged the industry to “communicate effectively” with local communities.
As predicted, Labour’s manifesto, published this morning, includes a promise to ban fracking.
