Green Party opposes fracking

As so often, the Green Party offers a coherent opposition to the Westminster government’s backing of fracking. MP Caroline Lucas has asked the House of Commons for an urgent debate on the subject, and says, ‘Ministers should spend more time working out how to keep fossil fuels in the ground and less time squandering taxpayers’ money on tax breaks for shale gas.’

Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett agreed, pointing out that as well as the immense consumption of water and the high risk of earthquakes and contaminated aquifers, we must recognise that Britain may not be able to meet its legally binding emissions targets if it embraces fracking. The price to be paid in real terms is very high, whereas the ‘fuel’ for solar panels and wind turbines costs nothing.

The single gas well fracked in Bowland Shale was suspended after it triggered two small earth tremors in the Blackpool area, but nevertheless the government has issued 176 licences for onshore oil and gas exploration.