LONDON (Alliance News) - The government continues in its attempts to break down the barriers to allow companies to frack in the UK after the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Andrea Leadsom visited IGas Energy PLC's proposed site in Warrington, Cheshire, on Thursday.
IGas is one of a handful of companies competing to become the first to frack in the UK since 2011, but opposition from environmentalists and local councils have so far blocked attempts by other companies, much to the government's frustration as it has made clear since the general election in May that it is keen on giving fracking the green light.
IGas is currently working on a five-year plan to develop shale gas sites in the North West and East Midlands alongside major international partners Total, GDF Suez and INEOS.
On Thursday, Leadsom visited the company's site at Doe Green in Warrington to see "what a potential hydraulic fracturing site would look like", the Department for Energy and Climate Change said in a statement.
"Home-grown shale gas can help secure our energy supplies. By 2025 we'll be importing over half the oil and gas we use - shale is vital to reducing our reliance on imports," said Leadsom after the visit as she stressed shale will be "significant" in allowing the UK to move away from coal energy generation.
"Exploring for shale will also help create jobs and grow local economies. Investment in shale could reach GBP33.0 billion and support 64,000 jobs in the oil, gas, construction, engineering and chemical sectors," the Department added.
The visit to the Doe Green site follows on from applications made by Cuadrilla Resources to frack two sites in Lancashire being rejected by local councillors on fears of traffic and the industrialisation of the countryside despite Lancashire County Council's planning officer recommending the approval for one of the sites at Preston New Road.
Cuadrilla, which was the last company to frack in the UK back in 2011, has now appealed the refusal for the recommended Preston New Road site, and against "certain conditions" imposed on the planning consent for Roseacre Wood site.
The appeal is very significant as legal advice given to the committee at the time of refusal said if the "refusal is issued, the case officer cannot give evidence at any appeal", adding that "it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a reputable independent planning consultant to defend Lancashire County Council's position", suggesting Cuadrilla was likely to win any appeal going forward.
In addition to those ongoing appeals, attention has turned to Third Energy, a company which has already drilled a well on its Kirby Misperton site near Thirsk and Malton in North Yorkshire. Third Energy has submitted an application to frack the site which is currently being considered.
Yorkshire is already in the spotlight after the North York Moors National Park in Yorkshire gave the green light for Sirius Minerals PLC to build the world's largest potash mine in the national park, a sore point for environmentalists, despite planning officers not recommending or discouraging the application.
Since those landmark refusals for Cuadrilla's sites in Lancashire, the government has stepped up its efforts to provide more information to the public about fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, a technique that is widespread in the US, by releasing "informative and engaging" videos to the public on Thursday, whilst it stressed the technique is safe.
"In June 2012 the Royal Academy of Engineering/Royal Society independent joint review of the scientific and engineering evidence on risks associated with UK shale gas development concluded that risks could be managed effectively so long as the correct procedures are followed ? and that?s what our regulations insist on," the DECC said.
"Shale can be developed while protecting the environment. Independent regulators examine companies? drilling proposals and will not allow hazardous operations," it added.
IGas shares were up 2.5% to 24.35 pence per share on Friday afternoon.
By Joshua Warner; joshuawarner@alliancenews.com; @JoshAlliance
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