Fracking in England isn’t over − yet.
Right now, there’s a temporary ban on fracking. But it’s not written into law, and loopholes mean so-called low-volume fracking could still go ahead.
This leaves communities at risk of unwanted drilling on their doorstep, earthquakes and environmental damage. We’ve already seen how real this threat is. A plan for low-volume fracking in North Yorkshire was only just stopped − but with a potential appeal looming and the loopholes still in place, the risk remains.
Now there’s a chance to fix this.
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, is preparing a new Energy Independence Bill. He said he wants to “send this bunch of frackers packing” − this is the moment to do it properly by closing the loopholes and making the ban permanent.
Because if it’s not locked into law now, fracking could easily return.
Tell Ed Miliband: send the frackers packing, for good.