To Frack or not to Frack

Ethical partnership is concerned about how the unconventional gas industry seems to be  securing permission for exploratory drilling in advance of the long term environmental and health consequences being fully understood and without a comprehensive regulatory and fiscal framework being in place. Why not let us and your MP know your views…. to get you thinking and talking read on……..

 

Before any permissions for gas extraction are granted we think that the devolved administrations (Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales) and the UK Government should quickly undertake research to ensure that;

  • the  environmental and health impacts are understood  and the information is in the in the public domain
  • the impact that the use of the gas will have on meeting our climate targets is understood and the information is in the in the public domain
  • the  public consultation mechanisms for granting consents for these applications and clear and agreed by all stakeholders
  • the environmental and planning regulations are independently verified as fit for purpose to process applications
  • indemnities and bonds are in place from the companies to ensure and insure that any environmental damage is paid for by the companies and not the public – aka the banks

 We’re particularly concerned about the following; 

  • Regulatory framework adopting the precautionary principle – the EA/SEPA are under resourced for their existing workload and do not have the staff to meet the  existing needs of the public and industry for advice and support let alone for a dramatic increase in their workload from fracking
  • Democratic consultation opportunity for local businesses to express a view there is likely to be two parallel regulatory processes; planning ( local authority) and  permitting (EA/SEPA) we need to ensure that businesses and the public are given the opportunity to express their views in both processes – currently most of the consultation is focussed on residential interests with little effort made to secure opinions of small and micro local businesses, particularly by the EA – merely through a lack of resources.
  • Financial bondAll mineral and aggregate extraction operators when they receive their permits and permissions are required to provide a financial bond or guarantee to the local authority so that in the event of the operating company going into liquidation the site can be remediated and any residents /businesses adversely affected can be compensated. If the company remediates as per the permission then the bond is returned. This has not been put in place in the USA and as a result hundreds of local businesses and communities are being impacted with no redress or compensation.

Before the gas is extracted governments’ need to demonstrate that the gas can be taken out of the ground with no long term environmental, climate change or health damage, the benefits will be shared equitably and transparently and that any applications will be locally and democratically determined with opportunities for local people and businesses to have access to all data and information. And there remains a right of challenge through the high courts.

All we’re asking for is equity, transparency, democracy, and sustainability for us and future generations.

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