“Shale gas has the potential to power economic growth, support 64,000 jobs, and provide a new domestic energy source, making us less reliant on imports,” said Javid. Greenpeace campaigner Hannah Martin said: “This fudged decision shows the government is struggling to force fracking on a reluctant nation. “We hope this will reassure the minority of people whom remain sceptical about shale gas exploration. Prof Jim Watson, director of the UK Energy Research Centre, a partnership between government, industry and academia, said the decision: “does not necessarily mean that UK shale gas development will take off in a significant way. The costs of UK shale will not be clearer until a significant amount of exploratory drilling takes place.”

Source: The Guardian October 06, 2016 09:03 UTC