Eric Pickles accused of double standards on fracking debate

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has been accused of double standards by bypassing local concerns over fracking while prioritising localism in windfarm planning decisions.

The comments came from Dale Vince, founder of green energy company, Ecotricity who along with Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, today launched a campaign to support local communities opposed to shale gas fracking.

“Eric Pickles has become an outspoken advocate of localism, insisting that local voices are heard on planning decisions regarding wind power, yet local voices are being completely bypassed when it comes to shale gas fracking .. this is a clear double standard,” he said.

“Mr Pickles said ‘no should mean no’ when it comes to wind projects, is he afraid to give the same local people a say on fracking? I think he is,” added Vince.

So far 90 local frack-free groups that have emerged across Britain and Vince said more power should be put in the hands of Local Authorities.

He also urged households to boycott energy suppliers investing in shale gas by switching their energy supplier.

British Gas owner Centrica, is spending £160m on shale gas in Britain and supplies 40 per cent of households with gas.

Fracking opposition groups have until March 28 to respond to a Department for Energy & Climate Change consultation on the environmental impacts of unconventional gas extraction, after which Government can start issuing shale gas licences across two thirds of Britain.

Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP, said: “As well as showing people that there are clean, green alternatives to shale gas and other fossil fuels, Ecotricity are engaging with local campaigners, and helping raise awareness of the perils of this new dash for gas.” 

The energy company says it will make a donation to the local fracking opposition group of a customers’ choice if they switch from their existing supplier to Ecotricity.