Today we revisit and begin to allow some gas fracking in the UK.
Great debate on radio 4 this morning at about 8.10 (listen on I-player) that in addition to the govt release below also pointed to these points, many of which I have drawn attention to before on this site.
1. As the former chief executive of Shell oil said - Europe's geology is not America and we do not know the amount of reserves, the ability or costs to extract at a commercial level.
2. Poland has stopped development work due to disappointing results, France has banned it at this time because of environmental concerns.
3. The International energy agency say that IF the reserves are there and it IS found to be possible to safely extract then PERHAPS Europe in coming decades could find 10-15% of its gas needs.
This will not have a significant effect on gas prices in the general global context as overall demand continues to rise.
5. It is estimated that ''the dash for gas'' could add £600 to annual energy bills due to extraction prices, environmental costs and general rising commodity prices - alternatively the ''renewable dash'' (if we would simply commit) will only cost £100 on average annual bills and as time go's on continually gets cheaper once installed.
So yes we need an energy mix - But on all fronts shale gas does NOT look be a financial or environmental single shot solution just a part of it, sorry Mr Osborne.
Decc press release -
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey today announced that
exploratory hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas can resume in the UK,
subject to new controls to mitigate the risks of seismic activity.
Mr Davey said:
“Shale gas represents a promising new potential energy resource for the UK.
It could contribute significantly to our energy security, reducing our reliance
on imported gas, as we move to a low carbon economy.
“My decision is based on the evidence. It comes after detailed study of the
latest scientific research available and advice from leading experts in the
field.
“We are still in the very early stages of shale gas exploration in the UK and
it is likely to develop slowly. It is essential that its development should not
come at the expense of local communities or the environment. Fracking must be
safe and the public must be confident that it is safe.
“We are strengthening the stringent regime already in place with new controls
around seismic risks. And as the industry develops we will remain vigilant to
all emerging evidence to ensure fracking is safe and the local environment is
protected.
“The new Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil, led by DECC, will be able to
focus regulatory effort where necessary to meet the needs of future
production.
“Emissions of methane – which is a potent greenhouse gas - are already
subject to control, but I am today commissioning a study of the possible impacts
of shale gas development on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.”
To date there has been no commercial shale gas production in the UK.
Exploratory fracking has been suspended since May 2011 after two small seismic
tremors were detected near the country’s only fracking operations in
Lancashire.
Following a detailed study and further analysis by an independent panel of
experts commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, with
feedback from a wide public consultation, and the benefit of the report by the
Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, the Government has concluded
that the seismic risks associated with fracking can be managed effectively with
controls.
New controls to mitigate seismic risks announced today include:
- A prior review before fracking begins must be carried out to assess seismic
risk and the existence of faults;
- A fracking plan must be submitted to DECC showing how seismic risks will be
addressed;
- Seismic monitoring must be carried out before, during and after fracking;
- A new traffic light system to categorise seismic activity and direct
appropriate responses. A trigger mechanism will stop fracking operations in
certain conditions.
These controls, along with the rest of recommendations in the independent
report into seismic activity and fracking commissioned by the Government and
published in March this year, have been accepted by the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State has also accepted all the recommendations of the Royal
Society report which are relevant to Government. (One further recommendation is
being considered by the Research Councils.)
The study of the possible impacts of shale gas development on greenhouse gas
emissions and climate change will consider the available evidence on the
life cycle of greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas exploitation and the need
for further research.
Tony Grayling, Head of Climate Change and
Communities at the Environment Agency, said:
“The Environment Agency takes the potential risks arising from fracking for
shale gas extraction very seriously and has undertaken a thorough assessment of
them.
“We are satisfied that existing regulations are sufficient to protect people
and the environment in the current exploratory phase. We have also established a
Shale Gas Unit to act as a single point of contact for industry to ensure there
is an effective, streamlined approach for the regulations that fall within our
responsibility.”
Steve Walker, the Health and Safety Executive's Head of Offshore Oil and Gas
Safety, said:
"HSE will be working closely alongside our partners on fracking, building on
expertise gained from regulating other forms of oil and gas extraction.
"Over the past 16 years HSE has worked very closely with the Environment
Agency on regulating a range of high hazard industries in England and Wales and
we are developing our joint approach to the regulation of unconventional
gas.
"We will play our full part in taking forward any proposals for the
regulatory regime, working with the new Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil."
what do you think ?