Energy generation in Wales: Shale Gas

Published 16 October 2014.

The UK Government "welcomes" the Committee's report and says shale gas has "the potential" to provide greater energy security, growth and jobs, while stating that exploration should be "safe and environmentally sound".

• On the energy mix (Recommendation 2), it says it is "not currently in position to estimate" the overall impact of shale gas supply, because "until more exploration is undertaken we do not know how much shale gas is technically and economically recoverable".
• On community benefits (Recommendation 4), it notes that industry body UKOOG has published a charter that includes "£100,000 per hydraulically fractured well site at exploratory stage" and "1% of revenue at production", and says the Government "has welcomed" the offer.
• On sensitive areas (Recommendation 8), it says planning is devolved and that, for English guidance, permission "should be refused" for major development in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty "except in exceptional circumstances". The Communities Secretary will consider recovering related planning appeals "for at least the next 12 months".
• On Environmental Impact Assessment (Recommendation 10), it says the regulations are devolved and an EIA is required if thresholds are exceeded or work is in a sensitive area. It "welcomes the commitment" from operators that they will carry out and pay for one whenever hydraulic fracturing is used.

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