The government has halted fracking in England with immediate effect in a watershed moment for environmentalists and community activists.
Ministers also warned shale gas companies it would not support future fracking projects, in a major blow to companies that had been hoping to capitalize on one of the new frontiers of growth in the fossil fuel industry.
To be clear, the government has halted, but not banned fracking, and the moratorium applies only to England as it is a devolved issue. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have steps in place opposing fracking.
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The decision draws a line under years of intense opposition to the controversial extraction process in a significant victory for environmentalists and local communities.
They reached the decision after a new scientific study warned it was not possible to rule out “unacceptable” consequences for those living near fracking sites.
The report, undertaken by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), also warned it was not possible to predict the magnitude of earthquakes fracking might trigger.
Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, involves pumping water, chemicals, and sand underground at high pressure to fracture shale rock and release trapped oil and gas.
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The government said it would not agree to any future fracking “until compelling new evidence is provided” that proves fracking could be safe. The UK’s only active fracking site at Preston New Road in Lancashire was brought to an immediate halt this summer after fracking triggered multiple earth tremors that breached the government’s earthquake limits.
Andrea Leadsom, the business and energy secretary, said the government has always been clear that shale gas exploration in the UK must be carried out safely. She said:
“After reviewing the OGA’s report into recent seismic activity at Preston New Road, it is clear that we cannot rule out future unacceptable impacts on the local community. For this reason, I have concluded that we should put a moratorium on fracking in England with immediate effect.”
The moratorium marks a significant about-face for the prime minister Boris Johnson and the Conservative party. Johnson once referred to fracking as “glorious news for humanity” and urged the UK to “leave no stone unturned, or unfracked” in pursuit of shale gas.
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Craig Bennett, the chief executive of Friends of the Earth, said:
“This moratorium is a tremendous victory for communities and the climate. For nearly a decade local people across the country have fought a David and Goliath battle against this powerful industry. We are proud to have been part of that fight.”
Rebecca Long Bailey MP, the shadow business and energy secretary, said the moratorium was a victory for local people and the government owed them an apology. She said:
“When the Tory government overruled local democratic decisions to halt fracking, communities did not give up. When fracking protesters went to jail, communities did not give up. And now they have forced the government to U-turn.The Tories owe the public an apology, and an explanation of how much public money they wasted while ignoring the science.”
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Long-Bailey warned that the government could allow fracking to resume, saying:
“The next Labour government will ban fracking – whereas the Tories will only call a temporary halt to it. You can’t trust a word the prime minister says.”
The government revealed its fracking moratorium alongside plans for a thorough review of the UK’s shift to a green economy. The Treasury said it would evaluate how the UK can make the most of the economic green shoots which are expected to emerge while moving towards a carbon neutral economy by 2050.
The Treasury’s support for a green economy comes after Downing Street blasted claims made by the previous chancellor, Philip Hammond, that tackling the climate crisis would cost £1trillion and require spending cuts for the police force, schools, and hospitals.
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Simon Clarke, the exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said:
“(it’s) humbling to launch this unprecedented review into how we end the UK’s contribution to climate change. Until recently people said that ‘Net Zero’ was impossible, but this work is a giant step towards making it happen, enabling us to set out a roadmap for an economy that is cleaner, more efficient, and works for everyone, while preserving our planet.”
