The
right protections are in place to ensure that fracking can go ahead
safely without risk to our most beautiful and important natural
sites. People should have confidence in these protections and in this
vital industry which could create over 65,000 jobs, be worth billions of
pounds to our economy and could generate greater energy security. For
these reasons, the Government is providing
further reassurance for our most valued areas.
I
fully appreciate people’s concerns about fracking, but let me reassure
you that Britain has a strong regulatory regime for exploratory
activities that will be updated as the industry develops. With these
protections in place, I think it is right that we explore and make use
of shale gas and oil.
Regulations
will protect some of the country’s most beautiful areas, including
National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Fracking cannot take place at depths of less than 1,200 metres in these
areas. The Government is also committed to banning fracking from wells
drilled at the surface of these areas and of Sites of Special Scientific
Interest, in order to safeguard these beautiful
landscapes.
In
addition to the regulations and the surface restrictions, consent
cannot be granted for fracking until the environmental impact
of a development has been taken into account. Operators are also
required to monitor the levels of methane in groundwater.
I
am pleased that the Government understands that it is critical for the
industry to have the confidence of the public if it is to
flourish in the long term.
Unfortunately,
due to other parliamentary commitments, I am unable to attend the
Westminster Hall Debate on this topic but I can assure
you that I will be closely following its progress.
I do hope this goes some way to addressing your concerns in this respect.
Rebecca Pow MP
