Fracking in the UK: A Controversial Energy Prospect
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, has long been a contentious issue, stirring debate over its environmental impact and economic benefits. Despite being effectively banned in the UK since 2019, the discussion around fracking continues to persist.
Originating in the United States during the late 1940s, fracking has significantly contributed to the country’s oil and natural gas boom. However, in the UK, the adoption of this technology has been limited. While the industry saw a surge in interest around 2011, the subsequent years have been marked by controversy and regulatory hurdles.
In 2014, then-Prime Minister David Cameron advocated for fracking, asserting that it would bolster the UK’s energy independence. He famously declared that the government was going “all out for shale.” However, in 2019, a fracking moratorium was implemented in England due to concerns over seismic activity at a Cuadrilla site in Blackpool. This moratorium, while restrictive, does not entirely prohibit fracking; it is based on the volume of fluid used in the process, leaving a loophole for smaller-scale operations.
Fracking involves the injection of liquid into subterranean rock formations to release trapped gas or oil. The current ban focuses on high-volume methods, allowing low-volume techniques to proceed under certain conditions. This has sparked debate among campaigners who view it as a significant loophole in the legislation.
Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto promises to ban fracking entirely, but campaigners argue that without closing the loophole, the promise remains unfulfilled. In Burniston, North Yorkshire, for example, a low-volume fracking application was rejected following over 1,600 objections from residents concerned about potential earth tremors.
Europa Oil & Gas, the company behind the Burniston plans, claims that their low-volume method, known as proppant squeeze, is safe. CEO Will Holland stated: “There’s been hundreds and hundreds of wells in the UK that have been proppant squeezed, i.e. a low-volume hydraulic fracture. None of them have caused any problems.”
Despite local council rejection, Europa Oil & Gas intends to appeal, arguing that their method doesn’t technically qualify as fracking under existing government definitions. The situation in Burniston is not isolated, with active fracking disputes occurring in other regions, such as West Newton, East Yorkshire.
According to data from Friends of the Earth, 79 constituencies in England could potentially be sites for fracking, overlapping with existing oil and gas licenses. Many of these areas are represented by Labour MPs, including Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband, a staunch opponent of fracking.
Campaigners like Tony Bosworth from Friends of the Earth express disappointment, noting, “They’re going to leave a loophole open, which would allow lower-volume fracking, such as is proposed at Burniston. But lower volume doesn’t mean lower risk.”
The Energy Independence Bill, introduced in the King’s Speech, proposes a permanent ban on fracking but has yet to be enacted. Alison Hume, Labour MP for Burniston, asserts, “I think we’re going to deliver on our manifesto promise in the Energy Independence Bill.”
While fracking is prohibited in several EU countries, the UK remains divided. Reform UK, unlike other major political parties, supports lifting the fracking ban, emphasizing resource potential. Richard Tice, the party’s deputy leader, stated: “It’s grossly financially negligent to a criminal degree to leave that value underground and not to extract it.”
As debates surrounding energy security and environmental sustainability continue, the UK’s stance on fracking remains a subject of heated discussion. The future of fracking in the country hinges on upcoming legislative actions and political decisions.
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Original Story at channel4news.substack.com