Yesterday Kwasi Kwarteng, the energy minister, when asked about fracking in the UK announced that the government had “moved on”.
He stated:
“We had a moratorium on fracking last year and frankly the debate’s moved on. It is not something that we’re looking to do.
“We’ve always said we’d be evidence-backed so if there was a time when the science evidence changed our minds we would be open to that. But for now, fracking is over.”
This is of course great news for those who consider science and public opinion to be important but as we know this government’s record on telling the truth is up there with a deceased horse winning the Derby.
However, as Claire Stephenson, of Frack Free Lancashire, said:
“It’s good to hear that the government have finally caught up with public opinion and science to say that fracking is over.
“Although it isn’t a permanent ban, common sense and a climate emergency will dictate fracking won’t resurface.
“The most expensive fracking experiment in the UK, happened on our doorstep here in Lancashire and resulted in millions of pounds of cash and drillers’ dreams being invested into, essentially, two deep and dirty holes in what was once pristine agricultural land.
“What remains of the company Cuadrilla, must now restore that land and officially leave our community forever.”
At Purbeck in Dorset there has also been a long campaign to persuade the government to cease their fracking policy. A new site at Athelhampton has also been met with significant protesting. Up until now the loudest voices have been those who make large donations to the Conservative Party i.e. the fossil fuel industry, however it appears they are on the verge of finding another cash cow. Hopefully this one will be much less harmful.
For more info on this development see:
“Fracking is over” – UK energy minister
James Finlayson
