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BITN 929_04,05 (News)

25/5/12

13:44

Page 5

The government has accepted a controversial method of shale gas extraction is not a solution to Britains energy crisis in a move that has been cautiously welcomed by environmental campaigners. Fracking which involves blasting large volumes of water, chemicals and sand underground to crack rocks and release gas has attracted fierce criticism over fears that it could pollute water supplies. Supporters claim vast amounts of untapped shale gas, much of it under Lancashire, could transform the UK energy market and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Fracking reserves: estimates down

Campaigning
But at a recent summit at Downing Street government ministers were told by industry experts from companies including Shell, Centrica and Schlumberger that the UKs reserves are smaller than first thought and could be uneconomical to extract. The revelation has led ministers to conclude that reducing carbon emissions or energy costs cannot be achieved by fracking, according to a recent report in the Independent. Philip Mitchell, chair of Blackpool and Fylde Green Party, said: This news is a sign of hope both for the Fylde Coast, and for much of Britain, which potentially lies above this crazy
Friends of the Earths anti-fracking cycle ride in Lancashire

source of fuel. But the hard campaigning to highlight the foolishness of the governments energy policy continues until there is unambiguous confirmation that fracking will not be allowed in the UK.

Tremors
Two weeks ago Vermont became the first US state to ban fracking, after a study by American scientists found it could contaminate drinking water. France and Bulgaria have both banned fracking and ministers in Germany are also opposing it. Earlier this month activists

took part in an anti-fracking cycle protest between Southport, Preston and Blackpool. Helen Rimmer, Friends of the Earths North West campaigner, said: Communities across Lancashire are sending a clear message that we dont want fracking in the county. Fracking is on hold in the UK while the Department of Energy and Climate Change considers a report detailing links between the method and a series of tremors in Lancashire last year, but the government has refused to oppose fracking outright. Nothing will be decided until weve finished looking carefully at the comments in the experts report, a DECC spokesman said.

Chemical
US company Cuadrilla Resources has planning permission to conduct fracking at seven sites near Blackpool and Preston, and expects to resume extracting gas in 2014. As The Big Issue in the North reported last November, the company pumped 3,700 litres of a chemical mixture called FR-40 into the ground at Preese Hall in Lancashire while fracking in 2011.
RYAN GALLAGHER

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