Roger has written to the Minister to protest against the Government’s plans to smooth the way for hydraulic fracturing for shale gas to take place commercially in the UK. Roger is concerned that fracking is unnecessary,potentially dangerous and will do nothing to cut greenhouse gas emissions. He is also worried that the Government is rushing to implement fracking without taking the time to carry out a proper public consultation or risk assessment.
The Treasury recently produced a consultation entitled A Fiscal Regime for Shale Gas, which slashes taxes on some fracking income by more than half. The Treasury itself admits that this tax regime as “generous”.
Roger says: “Why has the Government decided to give tax breaks to this environmentally-destructive fossil fuel rather than invest in renewable energy sources?” As the UK’s shale gas reserves hold only the equivalent of two years’ supply, fracking is not a solution to the UK’s energy needs.
Roger has written to the Minister, Nick Boles MP, urging him to ensure that a proper assessment is carried out, and people are given enough time to raise their concerns, before fracking is allowed to take place commercially in the UK.
Roger says: “I have asked the Minister whether the Government will bring in a requirement for emergency shut-down plans for fracking, which is already in place for conventional hydrocarbon wells. I have also asked the Minister for an assurance that the Government will consider all possible risks before allowing fracking to take place, to ensure that the environment and public health are not put at risk.”
You can read Roger’s letter to the Minister here.

This article appeared in the August edition of Roger's newsletter 'Postcard from Parliament'