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Wednesday 1 October 2014

Fracking...... the pros and cons...... and trespass law...... and climate change......

This evening's Costing the Earth on Radio 4 compares the last ten years' experience in Texas and the prospect of drilling in Lancashire:

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A Decade of Fracking


After a decade of fracking, communities in Texas are still arguing about the pros and cons of the shale gas industry. With the industry ready to begin production in Lancashire, Tom Heap compares and contrasts the hopes and fears of Texans with those of the villagers of the Fylde coast.
Producer: Anne-Marie Bullock.

BBC Radio 4 - Costing the Earth, A Decade of Fracking

In the United States, you can earn from energy deposits on your own land - whereas in the UK this is 'crown property'. And the ins and outs over property rights are getting hot:
Fracking boss bribes locals if they agree to drilling under their homes  | Daily Mail Online
Fracking trespass law changes move forward despite huge public opposition | Environment | The Guardian

Meanwhile, in New York, the Prime Minister promoted fracking as part of Britain's response to climate change:
Cameron urges global warming deal (From Mid Devon Star)


Shale gas part of David Cameron’s climate solution


Photo: Crown copyrightPhoto: Crown copyright









Shale gas is part of Britain’s solution to tackling global climate change, David Cameron announced yesterday.
Speaking at the UN Climate Summit in New York, the Prime Minister said climate change is “one of the most serious threats” facing our world and suggested its framework should be “built on green growth not green tape”. Highlighting the UK’s progress he added: “We are investing in all forms of lower carbon energy including shale gas and nuclear, with the first new nuclear plant coming on stream for a generation.”
As a result, Britain is on track to cut emissions by 80% by 2050, he said.
The Prime Minister urged the world to “step up” to deliver a new, ambitious, global deal “which keeps the 2C goal within reach”. He also pledged to push EU leaders to offer to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2030 at next year’s climate summit in Paris.
Mr Cameron is among hundreds of global leaders attending the summit in New York, with each leader delivering a speech setting out their vision on cutting emissions. He also highlighted the need to give businesses the certainty they need to invest in low carbon technologies.
Friends of the Earth however slammed Mr Cameron’s speech saying promoting fracking at a climate change summit “is liking trying to sell cigarettes at a hospital”.
Campaigns and Policy Director Craig Bennett added: “Twenty-first century problems need twenty-first century solutions: If we want to build a cleaner, safer future we must switch to renewable power and end our dirty addiction to fossil fuels. With clean renewable power becoming ever cheaper, available now and accessible to ordinary people, we simply don’t need to frack. It’s at best a red herring and at worst a dangerous folly.”
Next December, the world will gather in Paris to secure a legally binding, global climate change agreement from all countries for the first time ever.
Energy Live News – Energy Made Easy – Shale gas part of David Cameron’s climate solution
Reports: David Cameron to tout fracking role in tackling climate change - 23 Sep 2014 - News from BusinessGreen

See also:
Futures Forum: Fracking: agree to differ
Futures Forum: Fracking: "smoke and mirrors"
Futures Forum: "Allowing fracking companies to drill on private land without first requiring a landowner’s permission."... or... "Neighborhood Environmentalism: Toward Democratic Energy"
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