Shale Gas Production

Question

Anderson questioned why the Government is not immediately reversing the decision to fill the only viable shale gas wells in the UK, despite assurances last week that this would not happen. He highlighted Cuadrilla’s struggle to obtain a confirmation from relevant authorities and called for the Business Secretary to give practical effect to previous statements by instructing the Oil and Gas Authority to reverse its decision.

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I ask questions clarifying the Government’s position on fracking and seek assurances regarding the moratorium's continuity, as well as advocating for a green energy sprint through renewable sources such as wind and solar.

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Affirming that wells triggering moratoriums are not viable and asking Minister to confirm this point, emphasising the non-viability of fracking in these areas.

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Arguing against fracking due to its minimal impact on gas prices, lack of geological data, and environmental risks; advocates for a focus on renewables and tidal energy.

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Supporting renewables and nuclear while questioning whether shale is an option due to current gas supply issues.

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Highlighting methane emissions associated with fracking and questioning its impact on global warming compared to coal; suggests focusing on renewables.

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The moratorium introduced ridiculously low seismic limits that appeared to have been written by someone who did not understand the Richter scale. Should not the decisions be taken by local planning authorities, with community involvement, and the limits set at levels similar to those we might see for development in London, for example? Should we not be locking in the community benefits of fracking sites?

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There has been much hand-wringing about the cost of energy, yet within our own country we have sufficient gas to do us for 50 years. Does the Minister think it is sensible to turn our back on the jobs and taxes and spend money buying gas overseas when we have an indigenous source?

Question

In Rother Valley there is no community support for fracking. In Harthill and Woodsetts, where there is the potential for wells, nobody wants fracking—in fact, the fracking site in Woodsetts is mere yards from an old people’s retirement home. Will the Minister confirm that the Government will focus more on renewables?

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The people of Lancaster and Fleetwood are completely opposed to fracking in Lancashire. Will he reassure my constituents that the wells will be concreted over and that the Government will consider turning the pause into a ban on fracking?

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The Opposition talk a load of tosh when it comes to meeting net zero ambitions. My right hon. Friend the Minister has set out our amazing achievements in renewables and commitment to achieving net zero. Nevertheless, to meet the exponential increase in electricity demand in order to make the transition, we have to look at the lowest-emission fossil fuel, which is gas.

Question

The Government say that the policy has not changed, but why is it so hard to make a decision? Ellesmere Port had a public inquiry more than three years ago for a shale gas development and we still have not had a decision from the Minister as to whether that will proceed. Is not it time that the Government stopped trying to have their cake and eat it?

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Many in this House seem to think that I represent South Dakota rather than Blackpool, which has eight out of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. Does not the Minister agree that this debate about fracking is a complete distraction from the task in hand?

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Renewables are the cheapest form of energy; fracking is not a well-established industry. Reading the room, I think it is very clear that that is understood here, so why do the Government not ban fracking altogether?

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Around 85% of Thirsk and Malton constituency is covered by shale gas exploration licences, and we will need gas for many decades into the future. The energy experts who spoke to the Treasury Committee were clear that one thing hampering that is the lack of willingness from our banks to extend moneys to invest in exploration.

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Does the Minister accept that biogas from landfill and sewage waste produces cheaper electricity than almost any other form of gas? If that is so, can we do more to up the volume of that production?

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Diverse organisations such as the Climate Change Committee and the Net Zero Scrutiny Group agree that domestic supply of gas is important. Craig Mackinlay points out the potential benefits: 75,000 jobs, tens of billions in investment, tax revenues, CO2 savings compared to LNG imports. He also thanks the US Government for their earlier efforts on shale gas extraction.

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Residents in Margaret Greenwood's constituency are concerned about petroleum exploration licence 184 covering Wirral West and the possibility of fracking. She asks for a reconfirmation on the Government’s position regarding underground coal gasification and fracking.

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Edward Leigh commends the Minister for his clear answer on shale gas applications and asks if the approach based on local community support will also apply to large solar farms.

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At COP26, Wales signed up to the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance and rejected fracking. Liz Saville-Roberts asks for assurance that the Government will respect Wales’s opposition to fracking and honour their COP26 pledges.

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Iain Duncan Smith emphasises the importance of remaining pragmatic, stating that gas will be needed even after 2050 for hydrogen production. He asks the Minister to remain pragmatic and not let ideological considerations take over.

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The boss of Cuadrilla has reopened the case for fracking using the Ukraine crisis. Paul Blomfield questions whether investing in renewable technologies is better for energy security and meeting climate commitments.

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Real projects take time and money. Steven Baker asks the Minister to personally intervene to ensure effective communication between authorities and Cuadrilla, as they need to act now to meet deadlines.

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Only 14% of people support fracking, and it would require 6,000 wells to replace half of current gas usage. Caroline Lucas urges the Minister to do more on energy demand reduction.

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After the 1973 oil price shock, different countries responded differently. Anthony Browne suggests learning from history by pushing ahead with renewables and nuclear power to ensure energy security.

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Residents in Bill Esterson’s constituency have experienced test drilling, raising safety concerns. Bill Esterson asks for certainty that fracking is ruled out and suggests ending the moratorium on onshore wind and supporting tidal energy.

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Gas suppliers are asking energy-intensive businesses for large up-front payments. Will the Government consider a proposal for a Government-backed payment guarantee scheme to help companies manage cash flow and avoid prepayment?

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Why did the Government repeal the zero-carbon homes legislation introduced by Labour in 2014, despite its potential to reduce energy demand?

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What commitment do the Government have to their own transition plans and will they invest more in renewables for better environmental and economic outcomes?

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Instead of investing in old technology like shale gas production, will the Government invest more in biofuels projects such as BioYorkshire?

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Instead of greenlighting fracking, should the Government focus on identifying other solutions such as wind or solar power and agricultural policy schemes?