The Green Party has accused government ministers of ‘doing the dirty work of the shale gas industry’ after it was announced that the government will have the power to intervene on fracking applications if local authorities fail to approve or reject them within 16 weeks [1].
After the announcement, the communities secretary Greg Clark came under fire from campaigning organisations, including the Greens, who believe the change will ignore environmental concerns.
Caroline Lucas MP said:
“This is a shockingly anti-democratic and environmentally reckless move. Yet again, ministers are doing the dirty work of the shale gas industry and taking away the rights of local people to say no to fracking, whilst making contemptible claims that fracking is somehow compatible with tackling climate change.”
Cllr Andrew Cooper, the Green Party’s energy spokesperson, said:
“This is a disgraceful attempt to undermine local democracy in the interests of the fossil fuel industry and to ignore the concerns of residents. It is clear that government is facing serious opposition from communities to this dirty and dangerous fracking experiment.
“The Green Party stands shoulder to shoulder with local communities across the country in their campaigns against shale gas extraction.”
ENDS
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