The UK should take a “safe and responsible” approach to shale gas exploration, according to Edward Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
If shale gas can be developed in an economically viable and environmentally friendly way it would benefit the UK – increasing energy security, providing jobs and tax revenues, he told an audience at the Royal Society.
“We must make sure that the rigorous regulation we are putting in place is followed to the letter, to protect the local environment,” said Davey. “We must pursue vigorously the development and deployment of technologies that will reduce emissions to protect the planet.”
Davey was responding to the findings of a new report which estimates that the carbon footprint of UK produced shale gas would likely be significantly less than coal and also lower than imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The report by DECC’s chief scientific advisor, Professor David Mackay FRS, and Dr Timothy Stone, senior advisor to the Secretary of State, assesses the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the production of shale gas in the UK and the compatibility of such emissions with the UK’s legislated climate change targets.
“This report shows that the continued use of gas is perfectly consistent with our carbon budgets over the next couple of decades,” added Davey. “If shale gas production does reach significant levels we will need to make extra efforts in other areas. Because by on-shoring production we will be on-shoring the emissions as well. And, as this report recommends, we will still need to put in place a range of techniques to reduce emissions.
“I strongly welcome these very sensible recommendations and we will be responding positively and in detail shortly. The report from Professor MacKay and Dr Stone puts another piece of the puzzle in place.”
See also: ‘Shale gas to boost US plastics jobs, says report’
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