Britain reverses fracking ban

European resistance to hydraulic fracturing may be ebbing—at least in Britain. The United Kingdom’s government lifted a ban on the technique at the end of 2012, which it imposed in 2011. The ban came after some blamed minor earth tremors in Lancashire on well fracking performed in the area.

The London press quoted Energy Secretary Edward Davy as saying fracking will be allowed but only in an environmentally conscious manner.

“I know there are some people who think this is a bad environmental decision but I think they’re wrong. Do they want to see more home-grown gas or more imported gas?” Davy was quoted as saying in the London Telegraph. “We need gas regardless, in place of dirty coal. Yes gas emits carbon but is it not better that we use gas from this country than gas shipped from across the world?”

Francis Egan, chief executive of privately held Cuadrilla Resources Holding Ltd., which is exploring Lancashire, hailed the decision as “a turning point for the country’s energy future. Shale gas has the potential to create jobs, generate tax revenues, reduce our reliance on imported gas, and improve our balance of payments.”

Cuadrilla also announced it will drill and fracture-stimulate several wells in 2013, adding it will closely monitor seismic activity in the area.

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