Fracking on up to half the land the government has approved for shale gas extraction could trigger earthquakes, according to a leading seismologist. Professor Peter Styles, a former Downing Street adviser, said extracting gas from former coal mining areas “dramatically enhances” the risk of seismic activity, prompting calls for an immediate fracking moratorium. A new report authored by Prof Styles outlining the threat comes the week after a government plan to accelerate fracking developments by fast-trac king private companies’ planning applications.
Independent 22nd May 2018 read more »