Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
Shale gas 'fracking' can resume subject to new controls to mitigate seismic risks, energy secretary Ed Davey has announced.
He told Parliament today: “Shale gas represents a promising new potential energy resource for the UK. It could contribute significantly to our energy security, reducing our reliance on imported gas, as we move to a low carbon economy.
“My decision is based on the evidence. It comes after detailed study of the latest scientific research available and advice from leading experts in the field.”
He added: “We are still in the very early stages of shale gas exploration in the UK and it is likely to develop slowly.
“It is essential that its development should not come at the expense of local communities or the environment.
“”Fracking must be safe and the public must be confident that it is safe” Davey stressed.
As well as signaling the resumption of fracking Davey revealed he had commissioned a study of the possible impacts of shale gas development on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
To date there has been no commercial shale gas production in the UK. Exploratory fracking has been suspended since May 2011 after two small seismic tremors were detected near the country’s only fracking operations in Lancashire.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.