Off the wire
• China's World Cup hope slim after a defeat to Syria (updated)  • S. Africa stocks close weaker Thursday  • Roundup: UN Syria envoy makes emotional appeal to stop violence in war-torn Aleppo  • Workers' union threatens to drag Namibian gov't to ILO  • Xinhua World News Summary at 1600 GMT, Oct. 6  • U.S. stocks decline ahead of nonfarm payrolls  • Zambian gov't diversifies tourism marketing to maximize potential  • German factory orders in manufacturing sector increase in August  • Macedonia minister calls for more action to prevent violence against women  • DPRK blasts U.S. for stepping up pressure, sanctions  
You are here: 　 Home

Roundup: Britain green lights first horizontal fracking site

Xinhua, October 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

British Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, gave the go-ahead Thursday for a shale gas extraction plant at Lancashire in northern England.

The minister's decision is regarded as a landmark ruling for the industry, as it represents the first approval in Britain for a process known as horizontal fracking which is thought to yield more gas. However, fracking technology has also raised concerns about added pollution and earthquakes.

Local people in Lancashire waged a campaign against the plans, with the local planning authority Lancashire County Council refusing to give the go-ahead to gas company Cuadrilla.

The company appealed and the long-awaited ruling by Javid means gas extraction can go ahead at the site in the village of Little Plumpton in Lancashire. The official has deferred a decision to frack at another site in the north at Roseacre Wood.

Campaigners fear that fracking will cause significant damage to the environment, particularly in areas of northern England where shale gas reserves are thought to be high.

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "The decisions follow extensive consideration of all the evidence, including an independent planning inspector's report and evidence submitted during a two-week public inquiry."

"Shale gas has the potential to power economic growth, support 64,000 jobs, and provide a new domestic energy source, making us less reliant on imports," Javid added.

"When it comes to the financial benefits of shale, our plans mean local communities benefit first. We will take the big decisions that matter to the future of our country as we build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few," Javid said.

Campaigner Pat Davies, chairwoman of Preston New Road Action Group, reacted angrily to the government decision. She was quoted by local media as saying that "the government neither listens nor can it be trusted to do the right thing for local communities."

Drilling companies believe trillions of cubic feet of shale gas may be recoverable from beneath parts of Britain and more than 200 onshore exploration licenses have been awarded to energy companies. Endit