Are the Tories fracking mad?

[megilleland]

Following on from Ian R Crane's excellent lecture on Fracking in Hereford earlier this year and the activity down in Balcombe, West Sussex where Cuadrilla are drilling for shale gas this latest video - Ian R Crane: The UK's Fracking Nightmare spells out the dangers and special interests of those involved. An excellent insight into how fracking came about and how it could affect our water supplies in the future.

[megilleland]

In the Queen's speech today:

Fracking to get boost from trespass law changes

 

Shale gas industry welcomes move to end requirement to notify homeowners of drilling under their properties

 

Allowing fracking companies to drill under peoples' homes without their permission and watered-down standards for zero-carbon homes are expected to be the key green measures in the Queen's speech on Wednesday.

 

The proposals in the speech, which sets out the legislative programme for the year and is the last before the 2015 general election, marks a further hardening of the Conservative party's attitude against environmental measures.

 

Their coalition partners, the Lib Dems, see the survival of any zero-carbon home policy as a victory but failed to get other green proposals into the speech.

 

Current laws of trespass require land- and home-owners to give permission for shale gas and oil drilling under their land, but the government intends to end this requirement in order to speed up fracking. Drilling can extend up to 3km horizontally underground from a central well pad.

 

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said: “Not only does this bill defy public opinion, it denies people a voice. To allow fracking companies to drill under people’s homes and land without their permission is to ignore public interest in pursuit of the vested interests of a few.â€

 

Not only happens locally, but nationally. This country is going down the drain. A governmnet with no morals or scruples.

[dippyhippy]

Appalling.

 

Once again, they ride rough shod over our rights, in order to appease a multi national company.

 

We are an island. One day, we may just disappear back under the waves.

[megilleland]

The Guardian today:

Why fresh water shortages will cause the next great global crisis

 

Last week drought in São Paulo was so bad, residents tried drilling through basement floors for groundwater. As reservoirs dry up across the world, a billion people have no access to safe drinking water. Rationing and a battle to control supplies will follow.

 

Water is the driving force of all nature, Leonardo da Vinci claimed. Unfortunately for our planet, supplies are now running dry – at an alarming rate. The world’s population continues to soar but that rise in numbers has not been matched by an accompanying increase in supplies of fresh water.

 

(read more)

 

 

And all the political parties want to frack here. If they do it will be a short term gain.

[megilleland]

 

Hereford Times News - 1 September 2015

Rebecca Cain, Seniorteror Reporter

 

Fracking to be considered in the Wye Valley

 

LAND surrounding Herefordshire villages has been selected to be considered for fracking.

 

Whitchurch, Symonds Yat, Llangrove and Welsh Newton are included in a block highlighted by the Government for appropriate assessment.

 

The Government believes shale gas has the potential to provide the UK with greater energy security, growth and jobs, but the system is controversial due to environmental concerns.

 

The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean have been highlighted in a Government map of 132 areas which are being considered for fracking but are subject to further environmental assessment.

 

An online petition has been set up against the proposal by Simon Rosser, who lives in Ross. He said: "They are doing a consultation and not providing facts. The Government say it will provide jobs but not in terms of tourism and environment and there will be a myriad of other effects."

 

He said there is insufficient evidence to show that these operations are safe and will not have an adverse effect on the water table and water supply.

 

He said he is concerned about the various sites of Special Areas of Conservation in these areas and tourism, which combine to bring in vast amounts of income to the area, as well as enjoyment of the environment to both locals and visitors alike.

 

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

 

The Government has already announced 27 blocks which will be offered to companies to explore for oil and gas.

 

For the remaining 132 blocks, including the Wye Valley, the Government has launched a consultation. Subject to that consultation, a second tranche of awards will be announced later in the year.

      

To take part in the consultation go to https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/habitats-regulations-assessments-of-14th-onshore-oil-and-gas-licensing-round.

 

Simon Rosser has set up a petition against fracking. To sign it go to www.change.org/p/amber-rudd-mp-stop-fracking-in-the-wye-valley-the-forest-of-dean-and-the-rest-of-the-uk

 

This proposal if approved will make poly tunnels in AONBs and the surrounding countryside seem quite quaint. Remember the water contamination in Lancashire coincidently happened in a fracking area.