PRESS RELEASENational Anti-Fracking Campaigners Hail Moratorium on Fracking in the UK
Responding to today’s government announcement of the UK government dropping their support for fracking and placing a moratorium, UK-wide, on the destructive extraction technique, national campaigners have commented: Claire Stephenson from Frack Free Lancashire said: "Today’s announcement of the end of gratuitous government support for fracking is not a moment too soon. “Residents are delighted that the fracking industry will no longer receive unlimited favours and free passes from a previously pro-fracking government. Our communities deserve to be put first before big business, and we have battled against this dirty industry for far too long. “The Oil and Gas Authority have rightly stated that the industry has no ability to predict nor control, seismicity during and after fracking – this was evident after the property-damaging 2.9ML earthquake that hit the Fylde Coast on Bank Holiday Monday on August 23 2019. “Our position, however, is unchanged: we believe that only an outright ban is appropriate to protect the residents and the communities they live in, and our campaign will actively continue until one is implemented. With all the other major parties now committed to an outright ban on fracking, the Conservatives are late to the party with their political equivocating over one of the most damaging industries to force themselves into our community. “But today, we are celebrating and believe that the fracking industry in the UK is finished.” Susan Holliday, chair of Preston New Action Group said: “We cautiously welcome this news of a moratorium, but a total ban would have been even more welcome. “The residents of Preston New Road have suffered a great deal over the last 3 years since Cuadrilla began work at the site. We will only feel able to celebrate once Cuadrilla start work on decommissioning and the site is restored. “We have said all along that we have been Guinea Pigs for this process, and the experiment has failed, just as it did in 2011 when the last moratorium was put in place: hopefully this time it will not be lifted. “The earthquakes in August were felt by thousands of people; it must be clear from this that the Fylde coast is just not suitable for fracking. “It must be a huge relief for those communities that are currently under the threat of planning applications for fracking, knowing that they will now no longer need to go through what we have.” Steve Mason from Frack Free United said: “This a very welcome announcement from the government. We will certainly be raising a glass to anti-fracking campaigners everywhere. “It is a really great step in the right direction and we will be watching with interest in the next actions of all political parties. They must commit to the necessary action to dismantle the legislation backing fracking, and take the UK down a clean energy strategy. “We also look forward to seeing the money that would have been spent on pushing fracking onto communities being used to support green energy, the police and the NHS. “We will, however, be remaining vigilant and believe all forms of extreme fossil fuel extraction should be included in this de facto ban. Our call has always been for an immediate halt to fracking AND associated methods of unconventional oil and gas extraction in the UK, such as coal bed methane and acidisation. “For us, it is clear that developing all forms of extreme extraction will result in unacceptable negative impacts on local communities, local democracy, energy security, jobs, the climate, health and the environment. “All the political parties now have the opportunity in their manifestos to include the urgent need to develop an energy policy that will provide a clean vision for Britain, building on this great news from the government.” Maureen Mills, from Halsall Against Fracking, said: “The toll this has taken on our lives is immeasurable. The industry is all about itself and its shareholders. Our communities are left physically and mentally drained and devastated. For what? “Years of anguish, research, protest, tears and fears. Stopping this industry has always been our goal and our reasons are now being taken seriously. “We hope. If we have to fight that battle again, we will. We hope we won’t need to.” ENDS
Here's the governments release.
GOVERNMENT ENDS SUPPORT FOR FRACKING IN THE UK
• Government ends support for fracking in the UK on the basis of new scientific analysis, published today
• Oil and Gas Authority report published today concludes that it is not possible with current technology to accurately predict the probability of tremors associated with fracking
• Separate proposals to change the planning process for fracking sites will no longer be taken forward at this time
Fracking will not be allowed to proceed in the UK, the Government has announced today, following the publication of new scientific analysis.
Ministers took the decision on the basis of a report by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), which found that it is not currently possible to accurately predict the probability or magnitude of earthquakes linked to fracking operations.
Fracking already takes place across the world including in the US, Canada and Argentina. However, exploratory work to determine whether shale could be a new domestic energy source in the UK, delivering benefits for our economy and energy security, has now been paused - unless and until further evidence is provided that it can be carried out safely here.
Ministers have always been clear that the exploration of the UK’s shale gas reserves could only proceed if the science shows that it is safe, sustainable and of minimal disturbance to those living and working nearby. For that reason, Government introduced tight planning controls through the Infrastructure Act 2015 and set strict limits on seismicity, in consultation with industry.
On the basis of the disturbance caused to residents living near Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site in Lancashire and this latest scientific analysis, the Government has announced a moratorium on fracking until compelling new evidence is provided.
The Government also confirmed today that it will not be taking forward proposed planning reforms for shale gas developments at this time. These proposals were consulted on in 2018 but will not be implemented now.
Business and Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:
“Whilst acknowledging the huge potential of UK shale gas to provide a bridge to a zero carbon future, I’ve also always been clear that shale gas exploration in the UK must be carried out safely. In the UK, we have been led by the best available scientific evidence, and closely regulated by the Oil and Gas Authority, one of the best regulators in the world.
“After reviewing the OGA’s report into recent seismic activity at Preston New Road, it is clear that we cannot rule out future unacceptable impacts on the local community.
“For this reason, I have concluded that we should put a moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect.”
Other sources of natural gas will continue to contribute to the UK’s diverse energy mix. The Committee on Climate Change has previously said that there will still be a requirement for natural gas in a 2050 net zero economy.
Maintaining diverse gas supplies, for use during the transition as the UK renewable sector grows – or for the production of hydrogen – remains a priority for this Government.
Business, Energy and Clean Growth Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said:
“The Committee on Climate Change’s advice is clear that natural gas will continue to have a key role to play as we eliminate our contribution to climate change by 2050, including for the production of hydrogen. However, following our action today, that gas will need to come from sources other than domestic fracking.
“Today’s decision will not in any way impact our energy supply. The UK benefits from one of the most active gas markets in the world, with security ensured through diverse sources - including domestic offshore production, pipelines from Europe and liquid natural gas terminals.”
The Traffic Light System was introduced in 2012 as an evidence-based method of regulating seismicity caused by shale gas exploration. It has operated at Preston New Road, allowing the OGA to swiftly put a halt to activity when required – including after several significant events this summer.
Oil and Gas Authority Director of Regulation Tom Wheeler said:
“Since the OGA suspended hydraulic fracturing at Preston New Road we have been considering whether the operator’s plans are still appropriate to manage the risk of induced seismicity. The OGA’s considerations have been informed both by the seismic events and by independent scientific analysis of data from the first Preston New Road well.
“Based on these, the OGA believes that further detailed geomechanical analysis would be needed before we could evaluate with confidence whether hydraulic fracturing could resume in the Fylde, or elsewhere, consistent with the Government’s policy aims.”
Notes to editors
1. Operations at Preston New Road, Lancashire, have been suspended since a magnitude 2.9 event was recorded on 26th August 2019.
2. On the basis of the current scientific evidence, Government is confirming today that it will take a presumption against issuing any further Hydraulic Fracturing Consents. This position will be maintained unless compelling new evidence is provided. While future applications for Hydraulic Fracturing Consent will be considered on their own merits by the Secretary of State, in accordance with the law, the shale gas industry should take the Government’s position into account when considering new developments.
3. The OGA has advised the Government that until further studies can provide clarity, they will not be able to say with confidence that further hydraulic fracturing would meet the government’s policy aims of ensuring it is safe, sustainable and of minimal disturbance to those living and working nearby.
4. The Infrastructure Act 2015 included the requirement for operators to obtain Hydraulic Fracturing Consent which ensures that all the necessary environmental and health and safety permits have been obtained before activities can commence. The Consent process also includes the requirement for an independent financial analysis of the operator to be carried out to ensure they can meet their licence obligations, including decommissioning.