No surprise here. She is only saying what the leading industry players have been complaining about for months at least, i.e. the absurdity of some of the rules forced upon them.
Natascha Engel says the government’s approach to fracking has created a de facto ban on it, BBC News reports.
The UK’s shale gas commissioner is resigning after just six months, saying fracking is being throttled by rules preventing mini earthquakes.
Current government rules mean fracking must be suspended every time a 0.5 magnitude tremor is detected.
But Natascha Engel said this cautious approach to earth tremors had created a de facto ban on fracking.
Green campaigners say fracking is deeply damaging to the environment – but Ms Engel dismissed those claims.
In her resignation letter to Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark, Ms Engel said government was “pandering to what we know to be myths and scare stories” about shale gas extraction.
A spokesman for the department said the government supported the development of the shale industry in the UK “because we believe it could have the potential to be a new domestic energy source, and create thousands of well paid, quality jobs”.
They added the government was “confident” that current regulations “strike the right balance in ensuring the industry can develop, while ensuring any operations are carried out safely and responsibly”.
Ministers created the commissioner role to give confidence in regulation to local communities, the industry and regulators.
But Ms Engel’s departure will be welcomed by green groups.
Full report here.
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Earthquakes Today Richter Scale Table
Less than 2.0 = Micro – Micro-earthquakes, not felt.
2.0-2.9 Minor = Generally not felt, but recorded.
via Tallbloke’s Talkshop
April 27, 2019 at 06:43PM
Iowa Climate Science Education 