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Shale Gas Production
15 March 2022
Lead MP
Greg Hands
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
UkraineClimateEnergy
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
Greg Hands raised concerns about shale gas production in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
In response to Putin’s actions in Ukraine, Greg Hands reaffirmed the UK's commitment to keeping all energy options open but emphasised that shale gas development must be safe and have local community support. He noted the current pause on fracking due to seismic activity concerns remains in place, though he stated it would take years for commercial quantities of shale gas to be produced even if the moratorium were lifted. Hands assured that shale gas is not a near-term solution to high energy prices affecting Europe. Instead, the government plans to support North Sea oil and gas production while promoting renewables and nuclear power through an upcoming energy supply strategy.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands responded by stating nothing has changed in Government policy on fracking and shale gas, affirming that the UK is not addicted to Russian hydrocarbons. He mentioned the low percentage of gas imported from Russia compared to other European countries. Regarding Preston New Road wells, he noted Cuadrilla’s lack of a straightforward application for an extension, although the Oil and Gas Authority is ready to consider any such application favourably.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
Question
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.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that government policy is unchanged since 2019, reflecting the manifesto pledge. He emphasises no review of this stance and affirms support for renewables while highlighting progress made under Conservative leadership compared to Labour's tenure.
Question
Affirming that wells triggering moratoriums are not viable and asking Minister to confirm this point, emphasising the non-viability of fracking in these areas.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the importance of local community support for any potential relaxation of fracking restrictions and reiterates that decisions will be based on such support and scientific evidence.
Question
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.
Minister reply
The Minister responds by affirming the importance of following scientific evidence but also stresses the strategic importance of nuclear power. He highlights past contributions from Hunterston nuclear station and calls for constructive support of North Sea developments.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
Supporting renewables and nuclear while questioning whether shale is an option due to current gas supply issues.
Minister reply
The Minister states that the UK has a secure gas supply from domestic and Norwegian sources, and reiterates unchanged policy regarding fracking if scientific evidence and community support are present.
Question
Highlighting methane emissions associated with fracking and questioning its impact on global warming compared to coal; suggests focusing on renewables.
Minister reply
The Minister responds by stating that UK-specific emission data for fracking is unavailable, clarifies higher emissions in liquefied natural gas production over domestic sources, and emphasises current commitments to offshore wind capacity expansion.
Mark Jenkinson
Con
Folkestone and Hythe
Question
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?
Minister reply
I strongly commend my hon. Friend for his support for Government policy on energy, particularly nuclear. On seismic limits, I believe tens of thousands of complaints were received by the Geological Society at the time of drilling. We need to bring local communities on board in respect of any energy projects including fracking.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
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?
Minister reply
We are not turning our back on anything; we need both scientific evidence and local community support before proceeding, as stated in our 2019 manifesto.
Rother Valley
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?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a strong point about local support and local consent. The commitment to renewables comes right from the Prime Minister himself, who describes us as the Saudi Arabia of wind.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Question
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?
Minister reply
What happens to the wells is soon to be discussed between the Oil and Gas Authority and Cuadrilla. Local community support is incredibly important, as we need it for all energy projects.
Andrea Leadsom
Con
South Northamptonshire
Question
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.
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend's work as Energy Minister has contributed significantly to our achievements in renewables and commitment to achieving net zero.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
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?
Minister reply
The policy is clear and laid out in our 2019 manifesto: there is a pause on future fracking developments.
Paul Maynard
Con
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Question
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?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a strong point about community consent and speedy implementation of alternative energy measures. We announced contracts for difference renewables auction on an annual basis to address these concerns.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
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?
Minister reply
We are going for the quadrupling of our offshore wind capacity in this decade. That is already the largest in Europe.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
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.
Minister reply
I agree: it would be easier to do exploration in the North sea. We welcome continuing investment in the UK continental shelf and will send a signal today for continued support.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Question
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?
Minister reply
The hon. Member raises a good point about biogas from landfill and sewage waste. The strategy will address different questions in terms of where our energy supply will come from in future years.
Craig Mackinlay
Con
West Divis
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands acknowledges the importance of domestic supply and confirms that the UK Continental Shelf is important for producing natural gas domestically. However, he emphasises the need to see scientific evidence first and ensure local community support.
Wirral West
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands confirms that the policy on fracking remains unchanged. He highlights the Government's record in delivering renewables, mentioning the world’s largest installed offshore wind capacity and progress in tidal energy.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands confirms that the policy on large solar farms remains unchanged. He emphasises the success of solar in contributing to renewables.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands reminds Liz Saville-Roberts that energy is a reserved matter but refers back to his earlier point about local community support being important in all energy policy.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands agrees with Iain Duncan Smith's emphasis on pragmatism and reaffirms the Conservative Government’s commitment to their manifesto, which includes keeping options open.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands confirms massive investment in renewables, highlighting a new round of allocations in contracts for difference auction larger than any previous round with dedicated support for offshore wind and tidal energy.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands thanks Steven Baker for his question and confirms that he has communicated with the Oil and Gas Authority about further communication with Cuadrilla.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands acknowledges investments in reducing energy demand through various strategies but also mentions that ignoring the Green party's advice in 1989 led to economic growth and emissions reduction.
Anthony Browne
Con
Kingswood
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands confirms meeting Anthony Browne’s APPG soon and agrees that net zero is part of the solution for both transition and energy security. He welcomes Labour's support for the Government's nuclear programme.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
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.
Minister reply
Greg Hands announces a dedicated pot for tidal energy in the CfD round and advises Bill Esterson to refer his constituents to the 2019 Conservative party manifesto as the policy remains unchanged.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
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?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by energy-intensive industries and stated that his colleague is constantly reviewing the situation, though schemes often require agreement with the Treasury.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
Why did the Government repeal the zero-carbon homes legislation introduced by Labour in 2014, despite its potential to reduce energy demand?
Minister reply
The minister responded that since 2010, there has been a significant increase in energy-efficient homes due to actions taken by this Government.
Question
What commitment do the Government have to their own transition plans and will they invest more in renewables for better environmental and economic outcomes?
Minister reply
The minister advised visiting north-east Scotland to see that UK Government is supportive of the offshore sector, including oil and gas and renewables. He confirmed backing the North Sea Transition Deal.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Instead of investing in old technology like shale gas production, will the Government invest more in biofuels projects such as BioYorkshire?
Minister reply
The minister confirmed investment in biofuels and praised the visit to York by his colleague. He stated that diversification is key for energy security.
Question
Instead of greenlighting fracking, should the Government focus on identifying other solutions such as wind or solar power and agricultural policy schemes?
Minister reply
The minister highlighted a project at Whitelee wind farm near Glasgow where £9.8 million of UK Government support is being used to convert wind power into hydrogen for use in buses and dustcarts.
Shadow Comment
Lee Anderson
Shadow Comment
Lee Anderson criticised the Government's reluctance to lift the moratorium on shale gas wells in Lancashire, arguing that the current international crisis necessitates urgent action. He highlighted Cuadrilla’s inability to obtain a confirmation from the Oil and Gas Authority regarding an extension for filling the wells at Preston New Road site, stating this could be the end of the UK's shale gas industry. Anderson challenged any MP to come to his constituency where constituents struggle with high energy bills.
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