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| Fracking wins battle in Yorkshire but not the war | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| For those backing fracking, the approval of exploration plans at Kirby Misperton in Yorkshire is a vital victory. | For those backing fracking, the approval of exploration plans at Kirby Misperton in Yorkshire is a vital victory. |
| But the war is far from won, with public opinion moving ever further against fracking. The more zealously the government goes on the offensive on shale gas, the more people oppose it. | But the war is far from won, with public opinion moving ever further against fracking. The more zealously the government goes on the offensive on shale gas, the more people oppose it. |
| David Cameron pledged the government was “going all out for shale”, George Osborne told ministers to make fracking a personal priority and grant shale gas company “asks” and the government has promised to fast track fracking if councils don’t make quick decisions. | David Cameron pledged the government was “going all out for shale”, George Osborne told ministers to make fracking a personal priority and grant shale gas company “asks” and the government has promised to fast track fracking if councils don’t make quick decisions. |
| Yet this seems to be generating more suspicion than reassurance among people. A U-turn on a ban on fracking under national parks only made things worse. | Yet this seems to be generating more suspicion than reassurance among people. A U-turn on a ban on fracking under national parks only made things worse. |
| The industry has not helped itself, with a series of self-inflicted wounds. Companies have only belatedly reported deformation in drilling wells and gas leaks and trespassed on land with the intention of setting explosives. The leading company, Cuadrilla, has a scary name and decided to start a previous drilling attempt at the start of the summer holidays, maximising the protest against it. | The industry has not helped itself, with a series of self-inflicted wounds. Companies have only belatedly reported deformation in drilling wells and gas leaks and trespassed on land with the intention of setting explosives. The leading company, Cuadrilla, has a scary name and decided to start a previous drilling attempt at the start of the summer holidays, maximising the protest against it. |
| People’s fears are clear: toxic pollution, noise, heavy traffic and blighted landscapes. The only way fracking companies will ever persuade people that gas can be extracted safely, and that the regulations touted by ministers really are world class, is by doing it. But, even with Monday’s decision, it’s going to be a long campaign. | People’s fears are clear: toxic pollution, noise, heavy traffic and blighted landscapes. The only way fracking companies will ever persuade people that gas can be extracted safely, and that the regulations touted by ministers really are world class, is by doing it. But, even with Monday’s decision, it’s going to be a long campaign. |
| As Professor Michael Bradshaw, at Warwick Business School, says: “While Third Energy has got its planning permission, it is clear that it has failed to obtain a social licence from the local community.” | As Professor Michael Bradshaw, at Warwick Business School, says: “While Third Energy has got its planning permission, it is clear that it has failed to obtain a social licence from the local community.” |
| Nonetheless, Monday’s vote by North Yorkshire County Council was in fact a victory for localism, if not the one many locals wanted. The decision was taken by elected local representatives, not pulled in to Westminster to be ruled on by ministers, as is likely in the case of Cuadrilla’s application to frack in Lancashire. | Nonetheless, Monday’s vote by North Yorkshire County Council was in fact a victory for localism, if not the one many locals wanted. The decision was taken by elected local representatives, not pulled in to Westminster to be ruled on by ministers, as is likely in the case of Cuadrilla’s application to frack in Lancashire. |
| Ministers have emphasised the role of local decision making when it comes to blocking wind farms - overruling such decisions when it comes to fracking is politically toxic. | Ministers have emphasised the role of local decision making when it comes to blocking wind farms - overruling such decisions when it comes to fracking is politically toxic. |
| Nonetheless, the frackers now have an opportunity in Yorkshire. If they and the government want a large scale fracking industry, they had better take it. Any mistakes could kill the nascent industry before it has even learned to crawl. | Nonetheless, the frackers now have an opportunity in Yorkshire. If they and the government want a large scale fracking industry, they had better take it. Any mistakes could kill the nascent industry before it has even learned to crawl. |
| Time is not on their side either. First, the industry is spending hundred of millions of pounds and will not wait forever. Just before the Yorkshire decision, the boss of Cuadrilla warned ministers that its investors did not have “limitless patience” for delays. | Time is not on their side either. First, the industry is spending hundred of millions of pounds and will not wait forever. Just before the Yorkshire decision, the boss of Cuadrilla warned ministers that its investors did not have “limitless patience” for delays. |
| Second, the UK is committed to climate change targets which mean gas use will have to fall in coming decades. Fracking supporters argue that gas is less polluting than coal, and that the fuel provides a “bridge” to a low-carbon future. | Second, the UK is committed to climate change targets which mean gas use will have to fall in coming decades. Fracking supporters argue that gas is less polluting than coal, and that the fuel provides a “bridge” to a low-carbon future. |
| But if fracking doesn’t get cracking soon, the industry will face shutting down not long after it has begun. The clock is ticking before the far end of that gas bridge becomes a cliff. | But if fracking doesn’t get cracking soon, the industry will face shutting down not long after it has begun. The clock is ticking before the far end of that gas bridge becomes a cliff. |