Would you object to fracking (including exploratory drilling) taking place near your home?
Despite the frequent vocal support for fracking for shale gas in our comments sections, respondents to last week’s poll, asking whether readers would support fracking in their local area, revealed a deep unease about the technique. More than half of respondents, 56 per cent, said that they’d object to proposals even for exploratory drilling, because of concerns about the environmental and/or health impacts. Just over 10 per cent said that they’d object because of concerns over house prices. Just over 20 per cent said that incentives and benefit to the local economy would outweigh any concerns, while only 10 per cent said that they’d have no concerns at all.

What’s your opinion on this? Is this simply a case of NIMBYism, or are concerns about fracking, even those expressed by engineers themselves, not being clearly addressed? Isq local opposition likely to scupper fracking wherever it happens in the UK? What can be done to allay local concerns?
It is simply to much of an environmental risk. A millennia ago, as an act of humility, King Canute stood by the sea to show that not even he could control it. What makes engineers believe that they can control the vast quantities of water required (and associated byproducts) in an environment that they cant even access?
Fracking is an extension of horizontal drilling
used widely by oil cos.in local communities.
It is up to UK government to put in place
strict rules to give public assurance that
integrity of drilling well is not an issue. Until this happens then idle people will spread suspicion and fear amongst the public.
The gas is crown property. To me this means it belongs to everyone in the UK. I need to know that neither the gas nor the income will be squandered.
To the objectors and to the demonstators in particular I would like to suspend their energy inputs of gas and electricty to their houses and then say, Now how do you think you are goinig to cope? Apart from that, independence from Mr Putin must have its advantages.
I have absolutely no objection.
It will benefit the country.
The technology is not new in the sense that drilling for oil has been going on for many years. Examples are available to demonstrate that it can happen without destroying the surrounding countryside. The Government has examined the issue and come down in favour. Let’s get on with it. Negative thinkers caused problems with the MMR jabs and destroyed our nuclear industry. We must not let them prevent us benefiting from shale deposits.
I have a strong objection to fracking.
Think it is being sold as a quick fix. Instead of bodging the country up, can we please engineer this country towards a sustainable future properly.
In the long term do not see it as being a benefit to the country.
It is not the only energy solution.
Will the tax revenue from fracking be invested sensibly for the future, or will it be squandered in the same way as North Sea gas and oil?
It’s always a delicate balance between bringing in revenue for the city and what’s best for the community in the long run. I always vote for the latter. Each city should be allowed to retain the fundamental power of local control over land use decisions related to protecting the health, safety and welfare of their community.
Than Nguyen
http://www.protectivepackaging.net/military-packaging
Mankind existed for centuries without the need for fossil fuels, mankind will not live too long without fresh water.