FOE Press release: Backbench MPs from most of the major political parties have today (Wednesday 21 January) proposed a motion that would force a vote for a moratorium on fracking across Britain. The Infrastructure Bill, which is coming before MPs for a crucial vote on Monday, includes a series of controversial measures to pave the way for fracking. But a new motion, backed by MPs including Yasmin Qureshi and John Mann (Labour), Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru) Julian Huppert (Lib Dem) and Caroline Lucas (Green) would, if passed, introduce a moratorium on fracking for up to two and a half years while the risks are assessed. The move comes as a petition - over a quarter of a million strong - is handed in to Downing Street today to ask David Cameron to abandon his all-out push for fracking. The initiative, supported by a broad alliance of environmental groups including Friends of Earth, Greenpeace, and WWF, comes just days before the first Commons vote on fracking legislation and a much anticipated council decision on fracking in Lancashire. The proposal follows the example of New York State, where a moratorium was introduced, while the state Government undertook a study into the health impacts of fracking. Following the two year review that found “serious health risks”, a ban was introduced in December 2014. Meanwhile the Labour Party has tabled a proposal to introduce a new set of dedicated fracking regulations into the Infrastructure Bill, something which doesn’t currently exist in the UK. A vote on these will also take place on Monday. However, Labour has not said whether there should be a moratorium while these new regulations are written. Later next week [Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January] Lancashire County Council’s development control committee will decide whether to give energy firm Cuadrilla the go-ahead to frack at two sites near Blackpool. If it allows fracking, Lancashire would become the first local authority to give the go-ahead to the controversial technique since a nationwide ban was lifted by the Government in 2012. Friends of the Earth Climate Campaigner Donna Hume said: “This move by MPs gives Westminster a crucial opportunity to call a halt on the Coalition Government’s reckless pursuit of fracking. With the latest climate science and the mounting body of evidence about the health risks of this controversial industry, the Government’s fracking drive is utterly irresponsible. “Its no surprise that political support for fracking is breaking down in the face of opposition from hundreds of thousands of people, and the evaporation of claims that fracking would deliver lower energy bills or a significant number of jobs. “The UK should follow the example of New York State, and the birthplace of fracking in Denton, Texas and introduce a ban on fracking. Yasmin Qureshi MP (Labour) said: “With evidence of health impacts increasing we urgently need a fracking moratorium in order to assess the risks to public health and the environment. Fracking should not continue when regulation is not fit for purpose, and before we know if a global climate deal will be reached in Paris later this year. The public have serious concerns about fracking that need to be listened to.In Lancashire where the council is set to decide on whether to allow fracking imminently, two thirds of the public are opposed. The Government should follow the example of New York and bring in a moratorium so that the risks of fracking can be properly assessed. Hywel Williams MP (Plaid Cymru) said: “There is little public support for fracking and the Welsh and UK Governments should introduce a moratorium until it can be proven that there is no damage to the environment or health. “There are clear environmental concerns with fracking, such as contamination of the water table, while, once again, Wales will not benefit financially from our natural resources. Plaid Cymru believes that there should be no fracking, at least until safety and environmental issues are resolved.” --- Caroline Lucas MP (Green) said: “The impact of fracking is potentially vast. That’s why it’s so important that the possible environmental, climate, health and economic impacts are fully assessed and acted upon. Heavily redacted impact reports are doing little to alleviate concerns. “It’s crucial the public is in possession of all the facts: absolute transparency should be a given. As it stands, the Government is throwing caution to the wind on fracking and its vested interests are being prioritised above the public interest. Caution must be exercised, impartial evidence fully considered – and the public properly consulted. This amendment seeks just that: a simple, sensible risk assessment.”
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:27:19 +0000
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