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Fracking licences to be granted by government Fracking licences to be granted by government
(about 3 hours later)
The bidding process for UK licences to explore for shale gas will begin later, the government has announced. The bidding process for licences to extract shale gas - using the controversial process fracking - begins later, the government has announced.
Applications are expected for areas that have yet to be explored. About half the UK is open to exploration, but tightened rules cover areas of outstanding beauty.
Companies that are then granted a licence to begin test drilling will still need to gain planning permission and environmental permits. Companies granted a licence to begin test drilling will also need planning permission and environmental permits.
The coalition sees shale gas - which is extracted by the process fracking - as an important potential energy source for the UK. The coalition sees shale gas as a major potential energy source. Critics of fracking warn of environmental dangers.
In announcing the so-called 14th onshore licensing round, Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock said: "Unlocking shale gas in Britain has the potential to provide us with greater energy security, jobs and growth.In announcing the so-called 14th onshore licensing round, Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock said: "Unlocking shale gas in Britain has the potential to provide us with greater energy security, jobs and growth.
"We must act carefully, minimising risks, to explore how much of our large resource can be recovered to give the UK a new home-grown source of energy.""We must act carefully, minimising risks, to explore how much of our large resource can be recovered to give the UK a new home-grown source of energy."
He added that shale gas was a "key part" of the the government's plans to tackle climate change and "bridge to a much greener future".He added that shale gas was a "key part" of the the government's plans to tackle climate change and "bridge to a much greener future".
DemonstrationsDemonstrations
It is the first time in six years firms have had the opportunity to secure new licences.
About half the UK is open for licensing, including parts of National Parks. But applications there will only be accepted in "exceptional circumstances and in the public interest", said the government. The same rules apply for the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites.
"Proposals for such development must recognise the importance of these sites," Communities Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said.
The licences are likely to prove controversial, as there is a great deal of public opposition to fracking, which involves blasting water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into shale rock formations to release the gas held inside.The licences are likely to prove controversial, as there is a great deal of public opposition to fracking, which involves blasting water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into shale rock formations to release the gas held inside.
Angry demonstrations took place in the West Sussex town of Balcombe last summer as more than 1,000 people protested at a test site operated by energy company Cuadrilla.Angry demonstrations took place in the West Sussex town of Balcombe last summer as more than 1,000 people protested at a test site operated by energy company Cuadrilla.
Test drilling has also taken place in Lancashire.Test drilling has also taken place in Lancashire.
Critics of fracking argue that it can lead to earth tremors, water contamination and disruption to rural communities. There are also concerns about methane leakage and diverting resources away from renewable energy.Critics of fracking argue that it can lead to earth tremors, water contamination and disruption to rural communities. There are also concerns about methane leakage and diverting resources away from renewable energy.
The industry itself rejects these criticisms, arguing that, if regulated properly, fracking is a safe way to unlock huge resources of gas, which is a cleaner source of energy than coal.The industry itself rejects these criticisms, arguing that, if regulated properly, fracking is a safe way to unlock huge resources of gas, which is a cleaner source of energy than coal.
The British Geological Survey estimates there may be 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the north of England, of which perhaps 10% is recoverable, experts say.The British Geological Survey estimates there may be 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in the north of England, of which perhaps 10% is recoverable, experts say.
Access rightsAccess rights
The government is keen to promote fracking in the UK, and has already announced a number of incentives to help kick-start the industry, including tax breaks, payments of £100,000 per site plus a 1% share of revenue to local communities.The government is keen to promote fracking in the UK, and has already announced a number of incentives to help kick-start the industry, including tax breaks, payments of £100,000 per site plus a 1% share of revenue to local communities.
It has also proposed new rules regarding rights to access land to speed up drilling.It has also proposed new rules regarding rights to access land to speed up drilling.
The government argues that shale gas could be an important bridge to help secure energy supplies until renewable energy capacity is increased.The government argues that shale gas could be an important bridge to help secure energy supplies until renewable energy capacity is increased.
Others argue that while it may be cleaner than coal, it is still a hydrocarbon that emits CO2 linked to global warming.Others argue that while it may be cleaner than coal, it is still a hydrocarbon that emits CO2 linked to global warming.
A number of test sites will be needed to determine how much shale gas is commercially recoverable.A number of test sites will be needed to determine how much shale gas is commercially recoverable.
In the US, shale gas has seen energy costs tumble, but questions remain about whether the American shale revolution can be replicated in the UK and elsewhere.In the US, shale gas has seen energy costs tumble, but questions remain about whether the American shale revolution can be replicated in the UK and elsewhere.