Energy: Shale Gas

Lord Naseby Excerpts

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Lords Chamber

Asked By

[Lord Naseby]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on shale gas extraction in the United Kingdom.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Baroness Verma)]

My Lords, my department’s key objectives are to ensure that the UK has safe and secure energy supplies for the future. It is also committed to reducing carbon emissions. That is why we are encouraging a diverse and sustainable energy mix and therefore support industry’s endeavours in pursuing new energy sources in the UK such as shale gas.

[Lord Naseby]

I congratulate the Government on the recent announcement encouraging the extraction of gas by fracking. When your Lordships’ House realises that nearly 40% of the United States is now supplied by natural gas, does this not offer a huge opportunity for the United Kingdom to develop cheap and reliable domestic sources of energy, to create jobs, in particular in the greater Blackpool area, to reduce imports of gas and, finally, to improve the environment? At the same time, your Lordships’ House will remember that when North Sea oil was developed, it was a success because of the combination of government working with the industry. This must happen with shale gas as well.

[Baroness Verma]

My noble friend is of course right that the Government are very alert to the possibilities for boosting growth and employment in Lancashire and across the country. If shale gas does prove to be commercially viable, there is every reason to suppose that it will be positive for the economy and employment. However, the industry is at a very early stage of development and we need to make sure that all our commitments to ensuring that it is safe and secure to extract are formally looked at.