House of Lords calls for Fracking Speed-Up

The use of fracking could be fast tracked following a House of Lords committee that called for law changes to allow companies to use hydraulic fracturing without property owners delaying the process if it runs under their land. Following on from the success of fracking for natural gas in the US, many are asking for steps to be taken to allow the UK to benefit from from the process as soon as possible.

The economic affairs committee (EAC) is aiming to make the fast-tracking of fracking a "national priority". It has set up a special cabinet committee in an attempt to advertise the benefits of using shale gas to the UK public, which has remained sceptical of the processes used for the production of the fuel source.

According to the committee, the UK has "substantial shale gas and oil resources" that could benefit the country and its citizens immensely. It said that exploration of these resources is needed as quickly as possible to fully understand the potential they hold for the country's economy. 

Currently there has been very little exploration using fracking, representing only a fraction of what is needed to develop the market in the UK. In response to this, the committee has asked the government to make things easier for the industry in an attempt to encourage development to speed up. It also asked the government to take steps to ensure the public understand the real risks - which it says are very low - to the environment and human health.

In the EAC's report on fracking, released on Thursday (May 8th), it states that the advantages of undertaking more fracking operations greatly outweigh the disadvantages of the process. The report expresses concern that no permit applications for fracking have been sent to the Environment Agency since 2012. It suggests that time-consuming and confusing regulations are stopping the industry moving forward.

Michael Fallon, energy minister, said: "This report sets out that shale gas development has huge potential to provide the UK with greater energy security, investment and jobs. We welcome the committee's conclusion that risks to health and the environment are low if shale development is properly regulated."