The UK’s love-hate relationship with shale

The Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (Decc’s) announcement that it plans to introduce new measures to fast-track shale gas exploration applications has been received like marmite: loved by the industry, hated by green groups and the opposition.

Fracking firms, whose plans have been consistently “thwarted” by local councils, had a field day at the news. Many companies have released statements voicing their support, while Ineos tweets: “We welcome @DECCgovuk’s plan to fast track #shalegas whilst ensuring that local people continue to have a strong say #fracking”.

Rarely does an announcement create such a twitter storm. Friends of the Earth has been particularly vocal on the social medium, questioning Decc and accusing it of “disingenuousness”. “Local communities can’t be fully involved if decision made by Whitehall ministers rather than planning authorities,” it writes.

Councillor John Wilkinson, who chairs the planning and licensing committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, argues that the fast-tracking plans are a “threat” to local democracy and decision-making.

“Planning decisions can potentially have an impact on local communities for many years to come,” he says. “And whilst it’s in nobody’s interest for unnecessary delays, proper compilation of and consideration of all relevant evidence is essential. It’s more important for all concerned that correct decisions are taken, rather than simply focussing on the speed of the decision.”

Labour leader hopeful Andy Burnham has made the pledge in his leadership manifesto, in which he slams the current Conservative government for driving ahead with fracking with “scant regard for the views of the communities most affected”.

Green campaigners have also warned the government against riling local communities. Greenpeace campaigner Daisy Sands says local residents could end up with “virtually no say over whether their homes, communities and national parks are fracked or not”.

“There is a clear double standard at play – the same government that is intent on driving through fracking at whatever cost has just given more powers to local councils to oppose wind farms, the cheapest source of clean energy,” she adds. “The government is riding rough-shod over democracy to industrialise our most beautiful landscapes and damage the climate.”

Partner at law firm Hogan Lovells’ environment team, Louise Moore, argues that the changes “fall some distance short” of creating a fast-track regime for shale gas development.

“Government intends that most applications will continue to be dealt with in the normal way by local planning authorities, who will continue to find it difficult to approve projects against which there is hardened local opposition,” she says. “Local political influence can be decisive on controversial projects, regardless of the position of Whitehall.”

The government’s love affair with shale gas is nothing new, and judging by its volume of tweets about shale, the country can hardly be surprised at the latest announcement. However, many have questioned the motives behind the promise to go “all out for shale”, especially following numerous announcements recently on cutting subsidies for renewable energy.

Energy Secretary Amber Rudd insists: “We need more secure, home grown energy supplies – and shale gas must play a part in that.”

“With over four in five of our homes using gas for heating and cooking, with gas being used by our manufacturing industries to make essential products and with over 80 per cent of our gas predicted to come from overseas by 2030, it is essential that this country develops sources of this essential energy resource that is below our feet,” says chief executive of trade association UK Onshore Oil and Gas, Ken Cronin.

Decc also insists it will help decarbonise by providing baseload power for intermittent renewables. “As the greenest fossil fuel, gas has half the emissions of coal in electricity generation. While we develop renewable energy and nuclear power, shale gas gives us a bridge to a low-carbon future.”

However, as Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, rightly points out, whether or not fracking lowers carbon emissions depends on how it’s extracted and used. “If shale gas replaces coal or oil that will reduce emissions,” he explains. “But if it slows the growth of renewables or nuclear that could put emissions up – and even for coal replacement, you only gain a carbon saving if leakage rates are kept to virtually zero.”

Here’s how the country reacted to the government’s announced measures to fast-track fracking:

Donna Hume, climate and energy campaigner, Friends of the Earth

“Government claims that the new rules are about stopping delay are spurious – it was already the case that any further time had to be agreed with the fracking company. This is about national Government interfering into local democratic decision making.”

Daisy Sands, head of campaigns, Greenpeace

“The contrast between government’s view that local councils should be ‘masters of their own destiny’ and the new provisions announced today is staggering. Local residents could end up with virtually no say over whether their homes and communities are fracked or not. This is a clear affront to local democracy.”

Maf Smith, deputy chief executive, RenewableUK

“One of the best qualities of the British people is their innate sense of fair play. So many will be concerned that the government is setting different rules for different energy sources, by taking decisions on shale gas away from local councils and putting them in the hands of Ministers.

“At the same time, they’ve made it almost impossible to get new onshore wind projects approved in England by introducing sweeping changes to the planning system, as well as ending financial support for onshore wind – even though it’s the most cost-effective clean energy source we have. Onshore wind is consistently popular, enjoying the endorsement of two-thirds of the public. So today’s announcement will give voters pause for thought.”

Ineos

“We welcome @DECCgovuk’s plan to fast track #shalegas whilst ensuring that local people continue to have a strong say #fracking.”

Cuadrilla

“Cuadrilla warmly welcomes this announcement from the government and its continued commitment to get exploration for shale gas underway in the UK. It is undoubtedly in the national and the local interest to ascertain whether we will be able to satisfy the continued need for natural gas in the UK from our own indigenous onshore resources. If we can it will mean we are less reliant on imported gas and coal and better positioned to create jobs and wealth here in the UK.”

IGas

“IGas has more than 30 years’ experience of safely and successfully extracting oil and gas onshore in Britain and we will continue to ensure that any risks or environmental impacts are minimised. We also recognise that long term sustainable community engagement is critical to ensuring we maintain our social licence to operate and we are committed to working closely with our neighbours in the areas in which we operate.”

Ken Cronin, chief executive, UK Onshore Oil and Gas

“The onshore oil and gas industry is committed to consulting and working with local communities to develop the gas resources that this country desperately needs to access. However, recent experience has shown that the planning process is unwieldy and the time taken for planning decisions has soared from three months to over a year, causing delay and cost and this is not the interests of local people, the industry, or indeed the British people.

“It is right that the government is acting to ensure that local people can have their say and that the highest standards of safety and environmental protection are met, but also ensuring that the planning process itself is fit for purpose.”