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Shale developer Cuadrilla on Friday received the go-ahead from the Environment Agency (EA) for plans to extract shale gas at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire.
The Preston New Road site falls within Cuadrilla’s shale-rich Bowland exploration license, of which Centrica holds a 25 per cent stake.
Cuadrilla applied for environmental permits in summer last year, and the EA said that in the last six months the company’s plans underwent “rigorous assessment” including two periods of public consultation.
“We are confident the permits issued will ensure people and the environment are protected,” said the EA’s environment manager for Lancashire Steve Molyneux in a statement.
“The right controls are in place to manage waste and the flaring of gas safely, and protect local water resources. Should Cuadrilla begin exploration, we will ensure the permit conditions are enforced,” Molyneux added.
The process of shale development has been mired in controversy as local communities raise concerns over the environmental risk posed by the fracking process. But Cuadrilla said the environmental permit “unequivocally demonstrates” that the local environment will be well protected.
“This is an important seal of approval from the regulator that the exploration of shale gas can be done responsibly,” said Cuadrilla chief executive Francis Egan.
Centrica was not immediately available for comment.
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