Page 9 - Gi flipbook - November 2018

Government green lights air pollution risks while
undermining the UK’s
second Cuadrilla fracking well decarbonisation plans.
Writing on Twitter,
Green Party MP Caroline
Lucas slammed the
THE UK’S LATEST fracking said she had “carefully that shale exploration government for approving
project has been greenlit considered Cuadrilla’s will maintain robust the latest project.
following government application and I am environmental standards “Claire Perry has just
approval for developer content that hydraulic and meet the expectations granted permission for
Cuadrilla’s Preston New fracturing consent should of local communities.” another fracking well at
Road site in Lancashire. be granted in this instance”. However, the project Preston New Road just two
The company welcomed “Shale gas has the and the government’s months after it trampled
the announcement and potential to be a new wider fracking programme over local democracy and
said it would now begin domestic energy source, continues to face approved the first,” she
work “in readiness to start further enhancing our fierce opposition from wrote. “And they’ve done it
hydraulically fracturing energy security and helping campaigners, who maintain during recess so MPs can’t
both wells” within weeks. us with our continued it will result in unacceptable hold them to account.” ■
Flow tests are expected transition to a lower-carbon
to be carried out for economy,” she added. A drilling rig at the
around six months, ahead “It also has the capacity Preston New Road site
of the company beginning to deliver substantial
commercial operations, economic benefits, both
reports BusinessGreen. nationally and locally, as
The government has now well as the creation of well
approved two projects in paid, high-quality jobs.”
fracking Lancashire after She added that the
they were previously company would have to
blocked by the local comply with “world class
council, suspended over regulations”. “We already
earthquake fears, and have an excellent, long-
subjected to years of standing reputation for safe
protests. oil and gas exploration,” CUADRILLA
Energy and Clean Growth she said. “Our world class
Minister Claire Perry regulations will ensure

Labour wants green energy to and low-carbon sources by

2030, a dramatic increase
power most UK homes by 2030 on the 50 per cent they
provide today.
That would involve
a sevenfold increase in
ALMOST ALL OF Britain’s Rebecca Long-Bailey, the UK’s current goal is an 80 offshore windfarms and
homes and businesses Shadow Business Secretary, per cent cut by 2050. a tripling of solar power,
would be powered by wind, says the party is committed Such a move would put meaning nearly 20 million
solar and nuclear power by to reducing greenhouse gas the UK ahead of the EU and homes would be powered
2030, under green energy emissions to zero by the signal that it intends to be a by wind and solar.
plans outlined by Labour. middle of the century. The strong international climate Jim Watson, Director of the
leader post-Brexit, reports UK Energy Research Centre,
The plan envisages 85 per The Guardian. said: “These proposals are
cent of electricity coming Meanwhile, the envisaging a much more
from green sources government is expected ambitious approach than
to instruct its climate current policy. With respect
advisers to explore what to renewable electricity,
a tougher global-warming particularly wind, the
goal means for the UK’s ambitions look achievable
domestic carbon targets, by 2030.”
but has not yet pledged to However, Watson said
hit zero emissions. that meeting the targets
Labour’s plan envisages on low-carbon heat would
85 per cent of electricity be more difficult and “a
coming from renewable tall order”. ■

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News.indd 4 18/10/2018 13:13