Friends of the Earth views on fracking
The Planning Inspectorate has granted planning permission for a controversial test drilling application in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The decision paves the way for fracking applications which would be totally contrary to recommendations by world-renowned climate experts from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research[1].
Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:
“This decision has opened the floodgates for fracking test-drilling to occur right across Wales. More than half of the Welsh population lives in areas that have the potential to be fracking sites, so while this might be good news for a few rich corporations it’s very bad news for the people of Wales.
“Fracking is a dirty way to extract a dirty fuel. It pumps cancer-causing chemicals into the ground to release a fuel that causes much more damage to the climate than gas. Wales is supposed to be turning into a green powerhouse economy, but this decision looks like putting us on a path back to the fossil fuels of last century.
“The Welsh Government is against fracking[2], the National Assembly’s Environment Committee is against fracking and public opinion in Wales is against fracking. Unfortunately licences for fracking are granted by Westminster. It’s high time that all decisions on energy in Wales are made in Wales.”
1. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, November 2011, Shale gas: An updated assessment of environmental and climate change impacts: http://www.co-operative.coop/Corporate/Fracking/Shale%20gas%20update%20-%20full%20report.pdf
2. National Assembly for Wales Record of Proceedings, 31 January 2012, http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber-fourth-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=230019&ds=2/2012 Carwyn Jones: “The licensing for onshore oil and gas is regulated by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, which has responsibility for that. In terms of other areas such as offshore oil, again, these are matters that are primarily within the purview of the UK Government. However, we take the view that it is important that where new sources of fuel are being examined and drilled for, a precautionary approach should be taken”.
Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:
“This decision has opened the floodgates for fracking test-drilling to occur right across Wales. More than half of the Welsh population lives in areas that have the potential to be fracking sites, so while this might be good news for a few rich corporations it’s very bad news for the people of Wales.
“Fracking is a dirty way to extract a dirty fuel. It pumps cancer-causing chemicals into the ground to release a fuel that causes much more damage to the climate than gas. Wales is supposed to be turning into a green powerhouse economy, but this decision looks like putting us on a path back to the fossil fuels of last century.
“The Welsh Government is against fracking[2], the National Assembly’s Environment Committee is against fracking and public opinion in Wales is against fracking. Unfortunately licences for fracking are granted by Westminster. It’s high time that all decisions on energy in Wales are made in Wales.”
1. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, November 2011, Shale gas: An updated assessment of environmental and climate change impacts: http://www.co-operative.coop/Corporate/Fracking/Shale%20gas%20update%20-%20full%20report.pdf
2. National Assembly for Wales Record of Proceedings, 31 January 2012, http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-chamber-fourth-assembly-rop.htm?act=dis&id=230019&ds=2/2012 Carwyn Jones: “The licensing for onshore oil and gas is regulated by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, which has responsibility for that. In terms of other areas such as offshore oil, again, these are matters that are primarily within the purview of the UK Government. However, we take the view that it is important that where new sources of fuel are being examined and drilled for, a precautionary approach should be taken”.
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