Commenting on news today (Friday 2 August 2013) that energy firm Cuadrilla has started test drilling for shale oil in Balcombe, West Sussex, Brenda Pollack, Friends of Earth’s South East Regional Campaigner said:

“If the Government continues to give its backing to shale gas and oil, communities across the UK will find themselves in the firing line.

“People are right to be concerned about fracking. It threatens their environment and quality of life and will mean more climate-changing emissions are pumped into the atmosphere. And there’s plenty of evidence that it won’t lead to cheaper fuel bills.

“It’s time to end the nation’s damaging fossil fuel addiction and build a clean energy system that doesn’t cost the earth.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

1. Friends of the Earth’s briefing on shale gas.