HBC: Labour position on fracking

A question was addressed to the Leader of the Council regarding fracking at the meeting held on 11th September 2014. Labour’s approach to shale gas is to ensure that any possible extraction in the UK takes place only in a robust and safe regulatory environment which commands public trust.

In March 2012, Labour set out 6 regulatory conditions which we believe must be met before shale gas extraction can take place in the UK. On 26th August 2014, Labour tabled amendments to the Infrastructure Bill in the Lords to ensure these conditions are in place, so that there can have be confidence in a robust regulatory framework that protects the environment.

Labour's six conditions are as follows:

1. Seismic Monitoring

Evidence of seismic activity led to the suspension of operations in Lancashire in 2011. As Labour set out in an article for Business Green on 7 March 2012, baseline conditions should be assessed prior to any exploratory work with micro-seismic monitoring, in order to discriminate natural from artificially induced seismic events once the drilling begins. An early warning detection system should also be implemented, similar to that used in the Netherlands and Germany, which would allow measures to be taken before seismic activity has a noticeable impact.

2. Disclosure of Frack Fluid

There has been a lack of transparency and control in the USA on exactly what is being used to fracture shale rocks and extract the resulting gas. In the UK, the chemicals used must be restricted to those that are proven to be non-hazardous. Further, there should be mandated disclosure of all the chemicals to be used in fracking, including their toxicity levels.

3. Well Integrity

The integrity of each shale gas well must be assured to prevent water contamination. An independent assessment of the well design, the cement bond between the casing and well bore, in addition to the composition of the casing to determine its ability to resist corrosion, is essential.

4. Groundwater Methane

The level of methane in groundwater should also be assessed prior to any drilling. Methane can occur naturally in groundwater, but there is concern from the experience in the USA that it may occur as a result of fracking. In each case, that needs to be assessed prior to any activity, so there is robust baseline information to monitor against.

5. EIA

All potential shale exploration sites should be subject to screening for an environmental impact assessment – at present, those below one hectare do not need to undertake such an assessment. This assessment should include the level of water used, how much can be recycled and the availability of water in each case.

6. 12 Month Monitoring Period

All of the monitoring activity referred to above should take place over a twelve month period, to allow sufficient time to gather all of the evidence required to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with exploration.

So far, the Conservative-led coalition has failed to meet all these six requirements.

It was put to the vote and all Labour members voted in favour of the position as laid out by the Leader of the Council. All members of the Independents and UKIP also voted but the Conservatives did not take part and Cllr Peter Britcliffe did not give any clear indication of his group's position on the matter.