Councillors hit out at proposals to bring back fracking

York Liberal Democrat councillors have spoken out against Liz Truss’ proposals to lift the fracking moratorium, which will see new drilling start across the country in the next few months, councillors are calling instead for investment in renewable energy.

The moratorium on fracking was imposed in 2019 because of earthquakes the practice can trigger. The energy plans unveiled today will see an immediate end on a pause on fracking for shale gas in locations “where there is local support”. The move would also break the party's 2019 manifesto pledge to not press ahead with fracking without further scientific study.

Earlier this February, after more than 7 years of work, councillors approved the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan which introduced controls on fracking in York and North Yorkshire if the government lifted the moratorium. The plan will be used to decide planning applications until 2030, with minimum distances between homes and well pads and for greater controls around protected areas. It replaces policies on minerals and waste that date back more than 20 years and is the country’s only such blueprint preventing fracking firms from side-stepping around the ambiguous national definition of hydraulic fracturing.

Councillor Paula Widdowson, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change,  commented:

“Fracking poses unacceptable risks to people, the climate and the environment, bringing with it the potential threat of earthquakes, water pollution, and green spaces transforming into industrial landscapes. The Prime Minister’s announcement that drilling will take place ‘where there is local support’ – we have previously seen attempts by Conservative Government to undermine local community power to stop fracking applications.

"Even if we lifted the fracking moratorium tomorrow, it would take up to a decade to extract sufficient volume to provide gas across the country. There’s only one way out of this crisis in the long term – investment in renewables, nuclear, offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, alongside a major home insulation programme.

“We stand with the countless communities across our region as well as the country, who are categorically against fracking, and the damage it would inflict on our environment. It's time Conservative Ministers listened, and ushered in an age of renewables.”

Councillor Andrew Waller, who lead the work on the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan, added:

“Having worked on the proposals to safeguard our city and region against fracking, it’s disappointing to see the reintroduction of this disastrous practice as the new Prime Minister’s first action in office. 

“With soaring energy bills and inflation overwhelmingly being driven by record-high gas prices – and with renewables four times cheaper – fracking is not the answer. Other sources of energy, including renewable, and ‘buffers’ such as battery storage and hydrogen, are fast making any plans to introduce fracking irrelevant.

“There will be considerable concern amongst local residents about the environmental impact of fracking and its potential adversely impact our local communities. We will continue to work to oppose any plans which could see fracking introduced in York or the surrounding area.”