Yes to UK shale gas

MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee have given their backing to shale gas drilling in the UK.

The committee came to the decision despite mounting evidence in the US of the negative environmental impacts of such operations.

The inquiry, however, found no evidence that the hydraulic fracturing process involved in shale gas extraction – known as “fracking” (the environmentalist, May) – poses a direct risk to underground water aquifers, provided the drilling well is properly constructed.

The committee concluded that, on balance, a moratorium in the UK is not justified or necessary at present.

“There has been a lot of hot air recently about the dangers of shale gas drilling, but our inquiry found no evidence to support the main concern – that UK water supplies would be put at risk,” said committee chair, Tim Yeo.

The decision came just a week before fracking at the UK's first exploration site was halted after a second earthquake in the area. Shale gas exploration firm Cuadrilla, which runs the Preese Hall test site near Blackpool, has confirmed work has been halted while it examines information on the 1.5 magnitude tremor.