Fracking ‘could be bridge to greener future’
Minister backs findings of task force on shale gas
FRACKING SHOULD be used to bridge the gap between conventional oil and gas and a future powered by renewable energy, according to a new report.
The Task Force on Shale Gas has urged the Government to use the money it raises from taxes generated by fracking to help fund improved renewable energy technology.
Its new report also urges Ministers to speed up the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) – a technology with the potential to create hundreds of jobs in Yorkshire.
The industry-funded report has been published as North Yorkshire County Council considers whether to give the go-ahead to the use of the controversial fracking mining method at a site in Ryedale.
It warns that pursuing fracking in the UK should not be seen as an alternative to developing greener forms of energy supply.
Task Force chairman Lord Smith, the former Environment Agency chairman, said: “The UK will only meet its binding climate commitments by moving in the long term to renewable and low carbon energy sources.
“Nonetheless, from the evidence it is apparent that renewables cannot meet the UK’s short term energy needs. Gas must play a role over the medium term.”
Campaigners are urging North Yorkshire County Council to reject an application to carry out test-fracking at a site near Kirby Misperton.
Critics of fracking argue the process – which sees sand, chemicals and water pumped into rock formations deep underground – carries major environmental risks.
Chris Redston, from the Frack Free Ryedale campaign group, said it would be “impossible for anyone to conclude that this report is in any way independent or impartial”.
“Over the summer the Government have removed almost all support for wind and solar energy, at the very time when this needs to be maintained in order to help us make the transition to a low-carbon economy.
“Even if the shale gas industry were allowed to develop as fast as it wishes, it would not produce any meaningful quantities of gas for a decade, by which time we will need to be drastically reducing our dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.
The Task Force report is the latest to urge the Government to do more to speed up the development of CCS technology.
Ministers have repeatedly been criticised by MPs for delaying decisions on which projects
Shale could play a role as a ‘bridge’ to a low carbon future. Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom
to support with £1bn earmarked for CCS.
A scheme known as the White Rose Project would see a new power plant built at the Drax site near Selby with harmful gases stored under the North Sea.
Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom said: “I completely agree with Lord Smith’s conclusion that shale could play a role as a ‘bridge’ to a low carbon future.
“We are completely committed to securing a low carbon future, however we are not yet at a point where renewables can fully meet our current energy needs.”
FRACKING SITES could be set up across the district after the Government issued a series of exploration licences.
Licences allowing companies to explore land across the South East of the Wakefield district, looking for oil and gas, have been granted as the Government looks to push forward with a shale industry.
But Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett said more information is needed about the potential effects the process can have on people living close to the sites.
Mr Trickett said: “There are major concerns from people in the area about the fact that it can cause seismic events under the ground.
“I think earthquake might be too strong a word, but there are certainly fears about the possible effects the drilling can have.
“People are also worried about pollution of the waterways in the area.”
A total of 27 exploration licenses have been issued for sites across the country including one which spreads from South Kirkby to Ackworth, including Hemsworth and Featherstone.
Mr Trickett said: “I think the argument for creating jobs and cheaper fuel is valid but my instinct tells me there’s something not quite right about fracking. We need a lot more information - it can’t be done under the radar.”
Mr Trickett, was named as new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow communities and local government secretary and shadow constitutional convention minister.
Energy Minister Lord Bourne said a further 132 areas across the country are expected to be awarded subject to assessment.