The BBC reports on thousands of spills at US oil and gas fracking sites. According to published research, up to 16% of hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells spill liquids every year. Scientists found that there had been 6,600 releases from these fracked wells over a ten-year period in four states. The biggest problems were […]

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Speaking at the Labour Party Conference, Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Energy Minister said: “Before he was sacked, George Osborne managed to pass what he proudly referred to as “the most generous tax regime for shale gas anywhere in the world”. Well that will change under Labour.” The MP told the conference that there are technical […]

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CIWEM – An independent review of shale gas extraction in the UK and the implications for the water environment In 2014 CIWEM published a review of the implications of shale gas on the water environment with ten recommendations for action. Although exploration has not progressed in the UK during this time, there have been considerable […]

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The Telegraph: Local communities may be stripped of the chance to decide on fracking in their area, under sweeping new rules allowing ministers to bypass councils entirely. Under controversial plans to encourage the faltering fracking industry, Greg Clark, the communities secretary, will now consider ‘calling in’ any planning application for shale gas exploration as soon […]

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Onshore oil & gas sector guidance consultation This guidance is for oil and gas companies and their consultants setting out which environmental permits are needed for onshore oil and gas exploration and extraction operations in England. We think this consultation will be of interest to anyone working on or have an interest in the exploration […]

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Jim Marshall – Policy and Business Adviser ‘Water UK, through EurEau, is joining a three-year European Commission work programme to develop a best available technology reference document for oil and gas, which will take full consideration of environmental protection. Over the past 4 years, Water UK’s positioning has focused on ensuring that if shale gas […]

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The Task Force on Shale Gas has launched its 3rd report, looking at how the development of a UK shale industry would affect our overall climate impact. The report’s overarching finding is that shale gas has a role to play as an interim baseload energy source in the UK energy mix over the medium term.  […]

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