Fracking will not be allowed to proceed in England, the government has announced today, following the publication of new scientific analysis.
Ministers took the decision on the basis of a report by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), which found that it is not currently possible to accurately predict the probability or magnitude of earthquakes linked to fracking operations.
Exploratory work to determine whether shale could be a new domestic energy source, delivering benefits for our economy and energy security, has now been paused – unless and until further evidence is provided that it can be carried out safely here.
The Government said in its announcement that they have always been clear that the exploration of England’s shale gas reserves could only proceed if the science shows that it is safe, sustainable and of minimal disturbance to those living and working nearby.
On the basis of the disturbance caused to residents living near Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site in Lancashire and this latest scientific analysis, the government has announced a moratorium on fracking until compelling new evidence is provided.
The government also confirmed today that it will not be taking forward proposed planning reforms for shale gas developments at this time. These proposals were consulted on in 2018 but will not be implemented now.
Business and Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom said:
“Whilst acknowledging the huge potential of UK shale gas to provide a bridge to a zero carbon future, I’ve also always been clear that shale gas exploration must be carried out safely. In the UK, we have been led by the best available scientific evidence, and closely regulated by the Oil and Gas Authority, one of the best regulators in the world.
After reviewing the OGA’s report into recent seismic activity at Preston New Road, it is clear that we cannot rule out future unacceptable impacts on the local community.
For this reason, I have concluded that we should put a moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect.”
Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Business and Energy Secretary, responding to the government’s temporary halt to fracking, said:
“Facing earthquakes, air pollution and climate breakdown, communities across the UK fought back hard against Tory efforts to roll out fracking on a massive scale.
“When the Tory government overruled local democratic decisions to halt fracking, communities did not give up. When fracking protestors went to jail, communities did not give up. And now they have forced the government to U-turn in their support for a dirty industry once described by Boris Johnson as ‘glorious news for humanity.’
“It is over eight years since fracking caused earthquakes near Blackpool. The Tories owe the public an apology, and an explanation of how much public money they wasted while ignoring the science.
“The next Labour government will ban fracking – whereas the Tories will only call a temporary halt to it. You can’t trust a word the Prime Minister says.”
The campaign group Preston New Road Action Group said
“While we welcome the announcement of a moratorium on further fracking we will not be celebrating until the site is fully restored and Cuadrilla leave the area. The OGA say that fracking induced siesmic events cannot be accurately predicted but curiously they were happy to approve a frack plan that said events of 3.1ml were possible. They clearly failed to understand the effects on the surrounding towns. As many tried to tell the decision makers before the event, the Fylde coast is not suitable for ftacking. We hope this moratorium is not just a cynical election ploy by the Conservatives that will soon be reversed.”
Fanny Calder, Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs at WWF, said:
“The UK Government ending its support for fracking is good news for the environment. The climate science is abundantly clear on fracking – fossil fuel reserves should be left in the ground. We are facing a climate emergency and we must act immediately to reverse the damage and restore our natural world. We could be the last generation to do anything about this. Fracking has no place in a country fighting to reduce its carbon emissions.”
