Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what criteria she proposes to set for independent monitoring of the environmental effects of shale gas operations at proposed shale gas sites.

A research consortium led by British Geological Survey (BGS) has established a programme of environmental monitoring in Lancashire, and any criteria are a matter for the consortium to determine, independent of Government. BGS has stated that the information collected from the monitoring programme will be made freely available to the public and also support peer-reviewed science.

The Autumn Statement in December 2014 announced funding for the gathering of independent evidence about shale gas to be presented directly to the public. This work is under development.