Key Facts

• The amendment in the name of the Prime Minister has been selected.
• The government Business Secretary refused to give the House a binding vote on the principle of the fracking ban despite manifesto promises.
• The motion seeks to debate and introduce the Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas Bill on November 29, 2022.
• The proposal aims to address concerns about energy prices, safety, climate impact, and public opinion against fracking.
• Fracking can meet less than 1% of European gas demand, according to the British Geological Survey.
• The UK Chancellor said that lifting the fracking moratorium would not lower gas prices as private companies will not sell shale gas below market price.
• The Government introduced a moratorium on fracking due to safety concerns and potential local community impacts.
• Emissions from fracking are up to 50% higher than those from conventional gas.
• Surveys show that only 17% of the public support fracking, compared to high support for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
• Fylde Council passed a unanimous motion supporting the ban on fracking.
• The government's consultation paper aims to provide clear advice on seismicity and safety before hydraulic fracturing can proceed.
• The manifesto commitment includes not supporting fracking unless science shows it is safe categorically.
• Local communities will have the final say, with a veto if they do not want fracking in their area.
• Local communities will have a veto if fracking does not receive their consent.
• The form of local consent to be consulted upon includes the possibility of a referendum.
• The UK has a healthy mix of energy sources, including wind and nuclear capacity.
• The North Sea Transition Authority launched the 33rd oil and gas licensing round expected to deliver more than 100 new licences.
• Jacob Rees-Mogg supports exploring UK's shale gas reserves as part of securing the nation’s energy supply.
• Using domestic shale gas is considered more environmentally friendly than importing liquefied natural gas from overseas.
• The British Geological Survey report on seismic activity in fracking operations highlights the need for more exploratory sites to gather data.
• The UK had minimal reliance on Russian oil and gas imports.
• Shale gas would be an internationally traded commodity with prices determined by traders.
• There is not enough firm evidence of reserves available for extraction.
• Fracking exploration and appraisal phases last between two and five years.
• The UK Government scrapped the energy price guarantee, potentially leading to household bills rising to £6,000 a year after April 2023.
• National Energy Action estimates that 6.7 million households will be in fuel poverty under current support schemes with average bills of £2,500.
• Scotland is already a net exporter of oil and gas with 100% renewable energy equivalent to domestic electricity consumption.
• The SNP has introduced a ban on fracking in Scotland, not issuing any licences.
• Mark Menzies' speech focuses on the importance of the Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas Bill to his Fylde constituency.
• The debate is about the ban on fracking for shale gas.
• Barbara Keeley discusses local opposition and environmental concerns regarding fracking at Barton Moss in her constituency.
• The debate is part of an opposition day discussion regarding a ban on fracking for shale gas.
• Nigel Evans suggests that today's debate is more about taking control of the House agenda rather than genuinely addressing fracking issues.
• House of Commons Library report dated January 14 shows UK gas production has dropped significantly since its peak in 2004.
• The UK spends £64 billion annually on importing LNG from Russia, Qatar, and the US.
• Lancashire County Council’s ecology adviser criticized the fracking site at Altcar Moss for outdated risk assessment.
• Fracking would take time to produce gas and is unlikely to impact energy prices in the short term.
• Richard Graham does not support fracking but acknowledges it could hypothetically happen in some parts of the country.
• Local councils should be recognized as the expression of local democracy, according to Graham's view.
• There is mention of a potential overturning of planning decisions by higher government bodies in Scotland.
• Cat Smith represents Lancashire constituency where fracking has been a contentious issue.
• In 2019, the Conservative party manifesto pledged to ban fracking, leading to relief among constituents.
• Recent motions against fracking have been passed unanimously by both Labour and Tory-run councils in Lancashire.
• The cost of solar and wind power is nine times cheaper than gas according to Smith.
• The MP lives in one of the villages threatened by potential fracking sites.
• There is no community support for fracking in Harthill and Woodsetts, the two potential sites in his constituency.
• Fracking would have no impact on international gas prices and contribute less than 1% to Britain's gas needs.
• The British Geological Survey stated that shale gas under the UK is 15 times less in volume than originally thought.
• The motion is about setting a date for voting on a Bill to ban fracking.
• Only 19% of British people support fracking, while an overwhelming majority oppose it.
• 50% of the last round of fracking licences were in Yorkshire.
• The Conservative Government previously put a ban on fracking due to safety concerns.
• Local communities will have a veto on whether fracking can proceed in their area.
• About 40% of the UK's gas is imported, which means money goes to foreign economies instead of benefiting domestic workers.
• The Climate Change Committee has warned that lifting the moratorium without reviewing the evidence on climate impact is unwise.
• Research by NASA shows that leaky gas production in sites like Lancashire can release significant amounts of methane, contributing to global heating.
• Fracking is environmentally damaging due to the risk of earthquakes and chemical contamination of waters.
• The Welsh Labour Government has maintained a fracking ban for seven years.
• Fracking can contaminate groundwater with high salinity flowback water, leading to health risks such as hypertension in pregnant women.
• Methane leakage from fracking is found to be worse than coal for global warming.
• Fracking on the Fylde coast previously stopped in 2019 due to environmental and safety breaches.
• The war in Ukraine has highlighted the need for domestic energy reserves, including North Sea oil and gas and nuclear power.
• The British Geological Survey confirms that fracking increases the risk of local earth tremors.
• The government's written statement of November 2019 maintained the fracking moratorium until new evidence addresses concerns around induced seismicity.
• The British Geological Survey found forecasting large earthquakes remains challenging for the geoscience community.
• Greenpeace labels offering households £1,000 to consent to fracking as a cynical ploy.
• The debate involves opposition to the Government's decision to lift the ban on fracking without public consultation or new safety evidence.
• Only 17% of people support fracking according to Government polling.
• Labour promises a binding vote on November 29th for a Bill to ban fracking if their motion is supported.
• When Labour left power in 2010, only around 6.8% of electricity came from renewables.
• Today more than 40% of electricity comes from renewable sources under the Conservative government's leadership.
• In 2010, less than 14% of houses had an energy performance certificate rating of C and above; today it is 46%.
• The UK's current energy needs are met by 75% fossil fuels.
• Alok Sharma, President of COP26, moved global GDP coverage from 30% to over 90% in net zero pledges.
• Licences and blocks are being issued in the North Sea for domestic oil and gas production.