Fracking

Question 1

what is fracking?

Answer 1

The process of drilling down into horizontal layers of shale deep underground and then injecting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure into the shale to
fracture it and release gas trapped in the rock, which can then be bought to the surface.

Question 2

advantages of fracking in the UK

Answer 2

An estimated £100 billion of shale gas in the UK
Would reduce reliance on imported gas from Russia
Would create investment – much of the gas is in deprived northern industrial regions
Taxing production would increase government revenue

Question 3

disadvantages of fracking in the UK

Answer 3

Potential contamination of groundwater
Infrastructure such as drilling rigs and new roads will cause environmental damage
Extraction is expensive and energy intensive. It is dependent on high oil and gas prices
Should we be investing in renewable energy instead?

Question 4

Example of fracking in the UK

Answer 4

Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire

Question 5

who supported fracking in Kirby Misperton?

Answer 5

North Yorkshire County Council voted 7 to 4 in favour; they would receive tax revenue for any gas extracted

David Cameron, then PM, stated government policy was to “go all out for shale”

Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister said “fracking is a fantastic opportunity. It’s good for jobs, the economy and our energy security.”

Third Energy claimed that they had “tough regulation in place to ensure that fracking is safe

Question 6

who opposed fracking in Kirby Misperton?

Answer 6

Local residents and environmentalists feared “catastrophic health problems and pollution”

The Green Party opposes all fracking on the basis that we should be avoiding developing new sources of fossil fuels

Local tourist board was worried that it tourism would suffer if the landscape was spoiled

Road groups e.g. the aa concerned on the potential impact on road congestion and road damage caused by thousands of heavy lorries using the area

Question 7

what happened to fracking in the UK?

Answer 7

suspended in the UK in 2019 as there are major concerns over pollution and earth tremors