Energy secretary Ed Davey has reiterated support by the UK Government for fracking – but warned it would not come at the expense of climate change targets.
The controversial shale gas extraction row has escalated in recent weeks, not least after police clashed with anti-fracking campaigners at Cuadrilla’s operation in West Sussex last month.
Despite opposition, the Government has backed the shale gas industry as it looks to emulate the success fracking has found in the USA, where it has revolutionised the country’s energy industry.
Last week environment secretary Owen Paterson accused critics of scaremongering, while Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne gave his backing to the industry during his speech at Offshore Europe.
A new report by professor David Mackay, chief scientific advisor to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, said the carbon footprint of shale gas in the UK would be less than that of coal or liquefied natural gas.
The findings have been backed by Davey, who said it could boost the UK economy – as long as it was harvested responsibly.
“Gas, as the cleanest fossil fuel, is part of the answer to climate change, as a bridge in our transition to a green future, especially in our move away from coal,” he said in a speech to the Royal Society today.
“We have to face it. North Sea gas production is falling and we are become increasingly reliant on gas imports. So UK shale gas could increase our energy security by cutting those imports.
“Home-grown gas, just like home-grown renewables and new nuclear, also provides jobs for our people and tax revenues for our society.
“Nobody can say, for sure, how much onshore UK shale gas resource exists or how much of it can be commercially extracted, so we can’t bank on shale gas to solve all our energy challenges, today or this decade.
“We must make sure that the rigorous regulation we are putting in place is followed to the letter, to protect the local environment. We must pursue vigorously the development and deployment of technologies that will reduce emissions to protect the planet.”
READ MORE:
See Ed Davey’s full speech on fracking here
The energy secretary urged caution against hype over fracking, however, adding: “Let’s be cautious about hyperbole on shale, for it would likely be the 2020s before we might feel any benefits in full.”
The report, co-written with senior advisor Dr Timothy Stone, claims net effect on greenhouse gas emissions from shale extraction would be small.
It calls for increased emission reduction efforts, including increased support for carbon capture and storage.
“Shale gas could be a very valuable asset for the UK both in terms of energy and wider petrochemical uses,” said Dr Stone.
“It is important that in exploiting this asset we do so responsibly and build public trust. The debate in the UK around shale gas needs to be based on facts and not strenuous assertions. This report should help provide some clarity around some of the facts of shale gas.
“It sets out part of the responsible approach to its exploitation from a greenhouse gas perspective and consistent with government’s commitment to protect the wider long-term public interest.”
Earlier this year new tax breaks were introduced for fracking companies, after a report from the British Geological Survey suggested levels of gas in the north of England could be double previous estimates.
Davey insisted the UK would only make use of shale if it was done in a responsible way.
“Let me be clear – here at home we must not and will not allow shale gas production to compromise our focus on boosting renewables, nuclear and other low carbon technologies,” he said.
“UK shale gas production must not be at the expense of our wider environmental aims – indeed, if done properly, it will support them. I am determined to make that happen.”
Recommended for you
