Protect Lancashire in the UK from fracking!
- by: Sanely Eliding
- recipient: Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (UK)
Lancashire residents and environmental activists are protesting against fracking to begin in the county. Last summer, Lancashire’s local council refused permission for the drilling to begin, having listened to the concerns of people living there.
In November, the UK Government undermined the powers of local democracy with the secretary of state Greg Clark (via the Department of Communities and Local Goverment) asserting that the final decision came down to him.
In September, the oil and gas company involved, Cuadrilla, made four appeals to the Secretary of State against Lancashire council’s decision to refuse planning permission. A single inspector, Wendy McKay, has been appointed to listen to a public inquiry that began yesterday and is set to last over the next 5 weeks. A report will then be passed to Greg Clark to make a final decision.
The risks of hydraulic fracking include potential water contamination, air pollution and reduction in biodiversity. With an ever-increasing body of evidence proving the dangers in the US, it has been banned in New York State.
Environmental activists are calling for less time and money spent on fossil fuel subsidies and more on renewable technologies. Without opposition to this case, England risks losing 6000 square miles to hydraulic fracking.
Let’s demand that Greg Clark listen to the concerns of local residents. Please sign this petition and send a letter (using the template if you want) to: Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA. Or alternatively you can email: greg.clark.mp@parliament.uk Please also CC in the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd. Address: Swallow House, Theaklen Dr, St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN38 9AZ (email): amber.rudd.mp@parliament.uk
Further information:
Live stream of the inquiry: http://www.cuadrillaplanninginquiry.co.uk/
Frack Free Lancashire: https://www.facebook.com/FrackFreeLancashire/?fref=ts (you can fund the local campaign on this page)
Frack Off UK: http://frack-off.org.uk/ (they are on Facebook and Twitter @Frack_Off
To garner support please use Greg Clark’s Twitter hashtag @gregclarkmp
On the 9th February Greenpeace staged a protest outside the Houses of Parliament to mark the beginning of the inquiry. To show support for this use the hashtags #greenpeace and #fracking
Dear Greg Clark (and Amber Rudd),
I am writing to express my support for the local people and council members of Lancashire who oppose hydraulic fracking near to where they live in Roseacre Wood and Little Plumpton.
I am also writing to express my concern for the UK more generally. This inquiry is symbolic, if the public unites in supporting Lancashire residents then perhaps the Government will rethink their favourable attitude to fracking.
With a growing body of evidence to show how the fracking process has caused pollution in parts of the US (and therefore has been banned in New York State) I think the public are owed a better explanation in regards to why money isn’t being invested into more cleaner and renewable energy sources. Germany’s renewable energy success makes it all the more puzzling as to why the UK isn’t competing.
I understand that you aren’t Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and so I have CC’ed in Amber Rudd, as I believe this is an issue that concerns you both.
As a final point, I want to express unease about the undermining of Lancashire council’s refusal to grant planning permission. I understand there is currently an inquiry in progress and I urge you to consider these arguments when making your decision.
Yours Sincerely,
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