Fracking debate isn't over yet
Editorial Department • Published 8 Dec 2011 13:00
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This week's debate in the Assembly about fracking certainly scored a point for the growing anti-fracking lobby.
The success was not that the majority of MLAs voted for the call for a moratorium on exploration, development and production of shale gas, but that the issue was so publicly debated and their concerns given such prominent consideration.
While MLAs can issue calls for what they would like to see happening, it does not necessarily follow that their successful motions will influence the Executive.
THE DEBATE gave the lobby that fears that this type of production of gas could signal terrible consequences for our county a very real opportunity to air their views. These in particular were explained by both Anna Lo of the Alliance party and Steven Agnew of the Green party, who had jointly proposed the motion.
Mr. Agnew said that in Fermanagh about ten jobs would be created per year due to shale gas extraction, with no guarantee that they would go to local people.
He said shale gas extraction would threaten a tourist industry that meant £25.9 million annually for the county and could jeopardise the county's agricultural sector. So few jobs for such a high cost, he said.
Meanwhile DETI Minister and local MLA Arlene Foster sought to reassure those who feared that fracking was round the corner. No fracking licences have been issued, she said. The licence issued in Fermanagh was merely for "desktop studies". Should an application be made for hydraulic fracturing or fracking, then it would have to go through rigorous planning and environmental assessment procedures. It will be 12 to 18 months before any such licences are applied for.
The cases in the United States resulted from poorly engineered wells operating within a "fragmentary and weak regulatory regime".
Developing a more diverse, sustainable and secure heating market is one of the priorities of her department, given Northern Ireland's over dependency on home heating oil.
"Not only might domestic shale gas production help to provide energy independence but it could play a significant role in job creation. I firmly believe that Northern Ireland needs to explore the potential that shale gas offers, to even consider imposing a moratorium at this early stage would reek of a missed opportunity."
Whether the campaigners will be convinced by her arguments remain to be seen.
Yesterday DETI spokesman noted that while the Assembly has voted in favour of a moratorium on fracking, a vote on a Private Members' motion is "not binding" on any Minister. Mrs. Foster has said she will bear in mind the views of Assembly members and the public on this issue. But what appears sure is that the debate over fracking is not over.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Dec 11
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