Monday 28 October 2013

France’s Ban On Fracking Is ‘Absolute’

France’s ban on fracking was finally completed Friday, as its constitutional court upheld a 2011 law prohibiting the practice and canceling all exploration permits. The decision posted on the court’s website said the ban “conforms to the constitution” and is not “disproportionate,” effectively protecting it from any future legal challenge.
U.S. driller Schuepbach Energy brought its complaint to the court after two of its exploration permits were revoked due to the ban. Schuepbach attempted to argue that since no study had established fracking risks, there was no cause for the ban, and that since fracking isn’t banned for geothermal energy projects, it was unfair. The court didn’t find that convincing, citing the differences between geothermal and shale gas exploration.

To fight off Fracking in the Hull and East Yorkshire area

Fracking protests 'could come to East Yorkshire'

Green Party campaigners say direct action protests over fracking could be staged here if oil companies move in.
Shan Oakes, Hull and East Yorkshire Green Party spokeswoman, said this week's arrest of Green MP Caroline Lucas in Sussex could be the shape of things to come.
She said: "Caroline Lucas was standing up for what she and the Green Party are about. Fracking is a serious issue yet a lot of people don't understand what it is.
"Fracking uses millions of gallons of water, produces highly toxic waste, can contaminate water tables and tap water, poison livestock, and cause neurological problems all in the search for what we are told is cheap energy."


Read more: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Fracking-protests-come-East-Yorkshire/story-19700000-detail/story.html#ixzz2j1l9RtCs

Ex-oil boss: 'Fracking WILL happen'

A former oilfield boss has warned fracking is coming to the region.
Ian Crane, who is renowned for his investigations into fracking, the mining of shale and coal seam gas, will visit Hull as part of a nationwide speaking tour.
In his Fractured Future – It Doesn't Have To Be This Way talk, Mr Crane asks if fracking will be the solution to the national fuel shortage.
Exploratory drilling has already started in East Riding, and Mr Crane believes fracking for oil and gas in the US and Australia should be a "wake-up call" for this area.


Read more: http://legacy.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Ex-oil-boss-Fracking-happen/story-19805293-detail/story.html#ixzz2j1kw6QSA

Councillors in plea over fracking

COUNCILLORS in East Yorkshire have backed calls to seek Govern-ment assurances that the region will not be “targeted” for the controversial gas method fracking.

A motion on the issue, proposed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s portfolio holder for environment, planning and housing, Coun Symon Fraser, was unanimously passed at a full meeting of the authority.

What Is Fracking?


Shale gas is extracted through a process called hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’, in which fractures have to be created in the rock by forcing water, sand and chemicals (1%) at high pressure allowing the trapped gas to be released into the well.

Did You Know?

It is banned in Luxembourg, France, Bulgaria and Germany and such moratoria are already in place in many areas in the USA, including New York State, New Jersey and Vermont.

National Trust has 'open mind' on fracking

National Trust director-general Dame Helen Ghosh says the conservation charity has an "open mind" about allowing fracking on its land.

Her comments appear to contradict the Trust's position of a "presumption against" the controversial technology.

Campaigners say the environmental risks of fracturing rock to release gas are too great.
A spokesman says the Trust has not changed its position but will review any new evidence in the future.


Water industry lays down challenge to UK shale gas fracking industry

http://www.water.org.uk/home/news/press-releases/challenge-on-gas-fracking

Water companies have warned the shale gas industry that the quality of our drinking water must be protected at all costs and fracking must not harm public health.

What is the true cost of fracking?


Campaigners step up anti-fracking fight

Campaigners from York and Ryedale Friends of the Earth gathered in the city-centre to protest about fracking.
The group want a local ban on fracking, the controversial new process of trying to extract shale gas by fracturing bedrock.

UK fracking ambitions threatened by EU warning over methane emissions

The EU authorities have opened a new front in efforts to clamp down on shale gas, warning that the carbon footprint from methane emissions may be high enough to call into question the whole future of fracking in Europe.


What Is Fracking?


Shale gas is extracted through a process called hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’, in which fractures have to be created in the rock by forcing water, sand and chemicals (1%) at high pressure allowing the trapped gas to be released into the well.

Did You Know?

It is banned in Luxembourg, France, Bulgaria and Germany and such moratoria are already in place in many areas in the USA, including New York State, New Jersey and Vermont.

Where Is It Happening?

Everywhere, including right on our doorstep!
This licensing map of the UK shows which areas have been allocated a Petroleum & Exploration Development Licence (PEDL). The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is divided into a network of blocks. Initial block licenses last for six years – enough time, according to DECC, for the developer to get planning permissions, work out the viability of the area. Further information on the companies involved is available here.
Lancashire has been identified as having 200 trillion cubic feet of potential shale gas reserves, and plans have been announced for over 840 wells over the next 16 years. There are six current sites in Lancashire: Preese Hall, Weeton, is the only UK site to have currently been fracked as opposed to test drilled; test drilling has been in progress at Marsh Road, Banks; Grange Road, Singleton has been drilled, but not fracked; the Anna’s Road site near Lytham St Anne’s is completed ready for the drill; and there is also planning permission for a site at Inskip Road, Wharles, and in Kirkham.