8 May 2014
The North West Green Party has responded to the House of Lords' economic affairs committee's report on fracking. The report strongly supports the government's decision to go 'all out for shale'.
Peter Cranie, the North West Green Party's European election candidate said: "Lord MacGregor tells us he wants to 'reassure the public that all environmental concerns have been met'. But surely the biggest environmental concern is that by expanding our dependence on fossil fuels we are putting our future at risk? We need to make a rapid transition to clean, safe, renewable energy. There's a huge potential for green energy in the north west, but the government seems hell-bent on pursuing this unpopular, short-termist dash for gas."
He continued: "We've seen that there's huge opposition to fracking across the north west. A recent poll revealed 74% of Britons oppose plans to allow drilling under their homes without permission. People are right to be concerned. Fracking isn't going to bring down fuel bills or help us tackle climate change and it brings with it the risk of water and air pollution. Unlike the other political parties, the Green Party is against fracking. We're working hard on this issue in Europe and the UK - asking the difficult questions, challenging the government and pushing for a complete ban on fracking, like in France."
He concluded: "In parliament we have an outspoken Green MP, Caroline Lucas, who protested peacefully against fracking, was arrested and subsequently found not guilty. She stands up for the vast majority of people who either oppose fracking or are not convinced by it. If residents opposed to fracking want political representation in the North West, then I’d urge them to get out and use their vote on 22nd May. Otherwise we'll end up with 8 Euro MPs from parties that are all supporting fracking."
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