Lloyds Banking Group will no longer finance new coal-fired power stations or thermal coal mines as part of its greener investment policy, it announced today. The bank said its new policy means that although it will continue to work with existing clients whose operations include coal mining or power generated from coal, or supply equipment or services to these sectors, it will not finance any new projects in this area.
Business Green 2nd Aug 2018 read more »
A UK government report concluding that shale gas extraction increases air pollution was left unpublished for three years and only released four days after ministers approved fracking in Lancashire, it has emerged. The report, written by the government’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG), was given to ministers in 2015, but was published quietly on 27 July. Fracking firm Cuadrilla was given the first permit under a new regulatory regime on 24 July, the final day of the parliamentary year. The Labour shadow environment secretary, Sue Hayman, said: “The decision to grant a licence to Cuadrilla must urgently be reconsidered.” An ear lier government report concluding that fracking could cause nearby house prices to fall by up to 7% was also delayed until after an important planning decision. “There’s a pattern emerging, with environmentally unfriendly government announcements being scheduled to pre-empt worrying reports by experts,” Hayman said. “The decision on Heathrow’s third runway was also taken days before the Committee on Climate Change reported on the danger of CO2 emissions.” A Labour government would ban fracking.
Guardian 2nd Aug 2018 read more »
Theresa May is facing a Tory grassroots revolt over plans to fast-track fracking applications, according to a new poll. Conservative councillors are strongly opposed to the government’s plans to let companies explore for shale gas without the consent of local communities, the survey found. Instead, local Tory representatives in areas where fracking licenses have been granted want the government to give local communities the power to block applications for fracking in their area. The government is consulting on whether non-hydraulic fracking should be classed as a “permitted development”, meaning companies would not have to receive planning permission before beg inning exploration. However, 80 per cent of Tory councillors in areas where licenses have been granted said fracking companies should have to apply for planning permission before drilling.
Independent 3rd Aug 2018 read more »
