Fracking disinformation coming from Russia claims expert
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The Foreign Secretary is reportedly planning on lifting the ban on fracking “within days” of becoming the next Prime Minister. Currently the frontrunner in a race set to reach its climax at noon today, Ms Truss is urged by industry experts to issue sweeping reforms on planning laws alongside a revival of fracking. Fracking, the process of extracting shale gas, was banned in 2019 after scientific analysis exposed the risk of seismic activity from the practice.
The industry warned the Tory leadership favourite that “comprehensive policy support” was needed in order to speed up planning and environmental permissions for fracking.
Ms Truss has repeatedly advocated for a return to the controversial gas extraction process, as a way to boost the UK’s energy security in the face of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
She recently reinforced the stance by telling BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that extracting shale gas with onshore drilling was among her priorities.
This came after reports claimed she would end the ban on fracking “within days” of becoming prime minister.
However, the fracking industry has warned that in order to begin drilling with speed, Ms Truss would need to free companies from planning and regulatory burdens, according to the Telegraph.
Charles McAllister, director at UK Onshore oil and gas, said: “In order to facilitate timely UK shale gas production in the national interest, comprehensive policy support from the Government is required.
“This should include reform to the pace of decision making in planning and environmental permitting as well as ensuring that seismicity regulations for the industry are consistent with other sectors, such as quarrying and geothermal.
“The failure to develop the abundant Bowland Shale in the north of England poses unacceptable economic, environmental and geopolitical risks to the UK.”
While fracking could boost energy security, a study in the US published last month found that young children living near fracking wells at birth are up to three times more likely to later develop leukaemia.
The peer-reviewed study conducted by the Yale School of Public Health found children living within two kilometres of fracking sites were more at risk of leukaemia, which is one of the most common forms of cancer in children.
Many critics of fracking argue that shale gas should remain in the ground, and instead claim that boosting domestic homegrown energy can be done through renewable sources.
DON’T MISS:
‘Nine TIMES cheaper!’ Boris unveils UK sitting on energy goldmine [REPORT]
Energy lifeline: Millions to have bills SLASHED with £18bn masterplan [REVEAL]
Energy boss hands Truss 10-point plan to slash bills [INSIGHT]
Molly Scott-Cato, a professor of green economics at the University of Roehampton, previously told Express.co.uk: “To suggest that fracking can play any part in our economic future is to ignore both rational thought and scientific evidence.
“We need the prime minister to stick to his words about a rapid transition towards net zero.”
And while officials have called for an immediate green light for fracking, analysis from Dr Simon Evans from the Carbon Brief suggests that fracking would meet less than five percent of the UK’s gas demand over the next five years, even in the best-case scenario.
Source: Read Full Article