In January the Government told MPs: “We have agreed an outright ban on fracking in national parks and sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)”. In mid-July the pledge on SSSIs was quietly scrapped, opening the way for test drilling for shale oil and gas in environmentally sensitive areas. The Government hoped no one would notice but Green MP Caroline Lucas raised the alarm. There are 4,000 sites of special scientific interest in England.
Conservation groups and opponents of fracking need to fight this Government U-turn. The Peak District National Park Authority must be alert to the danger of losing its own protection as election pledges are swept aside in the Government’s drive for fossil fuel extraction.
Shale oil and gas are not needed to meet our energy needs. We don’t need to run the risk of environmental pollution from fracking. Pound for pound investment in energy conservation would save far more energy and deliver significant environmental, employment, and social benefits.
Stewart Kemp
Ecclesall ward Green Party
Any news on protests to prevent this? Really concerned and it was mentioned again in the local paper today. Please let us know and I can pass on the word and get down to the companies/sites where they plan as this needs direct action to stop them.
Frack Free South Yorkshire will welcome the opportunity to talk about: –
1. the fracking threat to the Sheffield City area (the whole of South Yorkshire will be licensed soon),
2. the threat to the Peak District,
3. our plans for raising awareness, educating and gaining support across the region,
4. how we and the Green Party can work together to achieve this common aim – halting fracking.
Thanks David- I’m sure we will be in touch with you soon about this. We will certainly be prioritising it as one of our main campaigns.
Hi Raychelle
Sheffield Green Party and Frack Free South Yorkshire will be meeting very shortly to discuss the latest developments and our reactions to them. It’d be great if you’d like to come along, too.