Fracking...and why it is a really, really bad idea.
Last Monday (26 January), an important vote took place in the House of Commons, regarding the future of unconventional oil and gas extraction - otherwise known as fracking.
Readers may be aware that Swansea is one of many areas across the UK which have been earmarked as potential areas for fracking. Around 14 Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDLs) have been granted in this area, covering most of the former South Wales coalfield, and much of urban Swansea. In addition, the government has granted exploration licences for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) in both Swansea Bay and the Loughor Estuary.
The Parliamentary Bill called for a temporary ban on fracking. 52 MPs voted in favour of a fracking ban, but 308 voted against, so fracking will happen. MPs were not even given the chance to vote on trespass laws, which means that, from now on, fracking companies can drill under our homes without permission.
To those Welsh MPs, including Gower Labour MP Martin Caton, who voted in favour of a fracking ban, thank you. To those - the vast majority - who either did not vote or who abstained, shame on you!
Fracking is a hugely destructive industry and, in the places where it has been tried, the environmental consequences have been devastating. A study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monitoring gas wells in Weld Country, Colorado, estimated that 4 per cent of the methane produced by these wells in escaping into the atmosphere. NOAA scientists found Weld County gas wells to be equal to the carbon emissions of 1-3 million cars.
A 2011 article in the journal, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, compiled a list of 632 chemicals identified from drilling operations throughout the US. Their research for that 75% of the chemicals could affect the skin, eyes and other sensory organs, and the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Approximately 40-50% could affect the brain/nervous system, immune and cardiovascular systems, and the kidneys, 37% could affect the endocrine system; and 25% could cause cancer and mutations.*
Is this what we want in our backyard? Ceredigion Council has already voted to become the first ‘Frack Free Authority’ in Wales. If they can do it, why not Swansea?
*(Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Bourguignon JP, Guidice LC et al. Endocr Rev.2009:30(4):293-342).
Readers may be aware that Swansea is one of many areas across the UK which have been earmarked as potential areas for fracking. Around 14 Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDLs) have been granted in this area, covering most of the former South Wales coalfield, and much of urban Swansea. In addition, the government has granted exploration licences for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) in both Swansea Bay and the Loughor Estuary.
The Parliamentary Bill called for a temporary ban on fracking. 52 MPs voted in favour of a fracking ban, but 308 voted against, so fracking will happen. MPs were not even given the chance to vote on trespass laws, which means that, from now on, fracking companies can drill under our homes without permission.
To those Welsh MPs, including Gower Labour MP Martin Caton, who voted in favour of a fracking ban, thank you. To those - the vast majority - who either did not vote or who abstained, shame on you!
Fracking is a hugely destructive industry and, in the places where it has been tried, the environmental consequences have been devastating. A study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) monitoring gas wells in Weld Country, Colorado, estimated that 4 per cent of the methane produced by these wells in escaping into the atmosphere. NOAA scientists found Weld County gas wells to be equal to the carbon emissions of 1-3 million cars.
A 2011 article in the journal, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, compiled a list of 632 chemicals identified from drilling operations throughout the US. Their research for that 75% of the chemicals could affect the skin, eyes and other sensory organs, and the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Approximately 40-50% could affect the brain/nervous system, immune and cardiovascular systems, and the kidneys, 37% could affect the endocrine system; and 25% could cause cancer and mutations.*
Is this what we want in our backyard? Ceredigion Council has already voted to become the first ‘Frack Free Authority’ in Wales. If they can do it, why not Swansea?
*(Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Bourguignon JP, Guidice LC et al. Endocr Rev.2009:30(4):293-342).