Welcome to this week's North West Energy Task Force newsletter. Here are today's top stories:
A vote of confidence in shale gas
Upcoming: NWETF to launch new initiatives
Northern Ireland Medical Officer guided by report suggesting 'low risk' to health
1. A vote of confidence in shale gas
The results of last week's General Election signal a vote of confidence in shale gas. Constituencies across Blackpool, Preston, and the Fylde returned MPs to parliament who are supportive of the responsible extraction of shale gas. Candidates who had signed Greenpeace's 'Frack Free Promise' failed to make inroads.
All of the main parties entered the election committed to the responsible development of shale gas resources.
The election results are a vote of confidence in shale and send a message to Lancashire County Council that they need to seize upon the opportunities that shale offers the North West.
2. Upcoming: NWETF to launch new initiatives
Lancashire County Council recently announced that the timescales for the determination of both the Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road exploration applications will be extended to the 30th June. As more information becomes available the NWETF will keep our supporters updated.
We have a series of exciting initiatives planned to help demonstrate the broad support that shale enjoys in the North West. Over the last few months we have been busy talking to a range of people local to the area and will be using their voices to make the case that shale is an opportunity the North West cannot afford to miss.
3. Northern Ireland Medical Officer guided by report suggesting 'low risk' to health
The Chief Medical Officer of Northern Ireland has said that they are 'guided' by a report published by Public Health England which states that 'the shale gas extraction process poses a low risk to human health if properly run and regulated'.
The report identified a number of potential risks posed by shale extraction and concluded that 'problems are typically a result of operational failure and a poor regulatory environment'. Good on-site management and regulation should be sufficient minimise risk to the environment and public health.
