MPs reject Labour call for full ban on fracking in England
Labour’s bid to ban fracking in England was defeated in parliament this afternoon. The party’s amendment to the Environment Bill was rejected by 357 votes to 216.
Minister tells anti-fracking MPs to “accept victory”
Two Conservative MPs who opposed fracking in their constituencies have won their campaigns, the energy minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, told parliament tonight.
Spending watchdog investigates costs of fracking
The potential cost to the public of decommissioning fracking sites is to be investigated by the government’s spending watchdog.
New law on fracking earthquakes clears first hurdle
A parliamentary bill to limit earthquakes caused by fracking has passed its first stage unopposed today.
MP launches bill to stop fracking earthquakes
A Conservative MP from a constituency with an Ineos shale gas site is seeking to introduce legislation to stop fracking companies causing earthquakes.
Senior officials failed to give clear answers on decommissioning of fracking wells – MP
A Conservative MP said this evening he was disappointed with the response of senior civil servants to his questions on the decommissioning of shale gas wells.
Minister reveals details of new shale regulator
The government’s new shale regulator, announced last spring, has three members of staff, at a cost of £75,000, operates “virtually” and has no powers, the energy minister has said.
Fast track fracking proposals undermine democracy and bypass scrutiny, MPs told
Government proposals designed to speed-up fracking decisions are unclear, inappropriate and unjustified, a group of planning experts have said.
Energy minister hasn’t visited a shale gas site
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.
Former MP Natascha Engel appointed shale gas commissioner
The pro-fracking former Labour MP, Natascha Engel, is the new commissioner for shale gas, the government announced this afternoon.
