The government has released a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report, produced by AMEC, which sets out the potential economic and environmental effects of further oil and gas activity in Great Britain, including shale oil and gas production, comparing a ‘low activity’ and ‘high activity’ scenario.
The report, released today by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, comes ahead of the Government announcing new extraction licenses in 2014.
Keith Taylor, the Green Party’s MEP for South East England, has responded to the report.
He said:
“This report shows us the extent to which fracking could affect people’s lives across the UK.
"The report suggests that up to 2880 wells could be drilled in the UK creating over 100 million cubic meters of waste water. Communities near fracking sites will have dozens of heavy trucks passing by every day, causing noise and air pollution.
"Of course the Government are keen to express upon people the potential financial benefits of allowing shale gas extraction near their homes. But, in reality, many people will be unwilling to accept air pollution, noisy trucks, gas flaring and potential water contamination in exchange for the government’s bribe. The report states that fracking will have negative impacts on health, land use and meeting climate change objectives.
"The Government is ramping up their pro-fracking rhetoric ahead of issuing the next round of licenses but campaigners and concerned residents won’t be tricked into believing the hype. We know that fracking is unlikely to cut bills and that it will contribute to climate change.
"It’s time the Government stop trying to trick us into thinking that fracking is the solution to our energy problems. Instead ministers should be focusing on investing in renewable technologies and energy efficiency measures that can both cut energy bills and climate changing emissions.”