Press release

Fracking did make Blackpool rock

17 April 2012

Seismic shift in energy policy needed

Responding to a report on fracking published into two small earthquakes last year near Blackpool, Friends of the Earth's Director for Northern Ireland James Orr said:

"Earth tremors aren't the only risks associated with fracking - it's also been linked to air and water pollution, problems with human health and produces gas that causes climate change. There should be a full scientific assessment of all the impacts of fracking, a short consultation on one of the problems is completely inadequate."

"We should be developing the huge potential of local energy from the sun, wind and waves, not more dirty and dangerous fossil fuels. We don't need earth tremor-causing fracking to meet our power needs - we need a seismic shift in energy policy."

He added:

"A particular problem in Northern Ireland is our poor record on regulation.  If we can't regulate what's on top of the ground how on earth can we regulate fracking for gas half a mile below the surface of the ground".  

Notes

1.            Friends of the Earth briefing:  Shale gas: energy solution or fracking hell?

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Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
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BELFAST
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Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: [email protected]

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust