Letter published in the Daily Telegraph - 10 June 2016 - Fracts of Life
SIR – The
four biggest economic drivers for the development of shale gas all have the
potential for leaving the country and the average person in the street more
financially secure.
These
are: better energy security; improved balance of payments resulting from lower
gas imports; tax revenue (to replace that which used to come from the North Sea
and car fuel taxes) and, finally, economic growth, with new jobs, especially in
northern areas where they are most needed.
The
economic difficulties that experts from both sides of the debate seem to be
predicting if Britain leaves the EU will make it almost impossible for the
Government not to fast-track shale gas in order to bolster the economy.
Consequently, a vote to leave the EU is a clear vote for shale gas.
Moreover,
Britain’s excellent environmental regulations are to a large extent the result
of sustained EU pressure. Take away that oversight, and any government with its
back to the economic wall might reasonably exempt the shale gas industry from
some of them, for the sake of the country, but not the countryside.
Everything
is on hold until the EU referendum day. Only then will it be clear that Brexit
equals Fraccess.
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