The issue of fracking has received a lot of media attention recently, and has divided the nation in terms of opinion. Some people believe that fracking is linked to contamination of ground water, pollution of air by leaking methane, and seismic activity. However others believe that this process is safe, and a relatively robust and cost effective way of extracting natural fuel from the ground.

Fracking, in simplistic terms, is breaking or fracturing subterranean rock by mixing water sand and chemicals and pumping this into the ground. The pressure of this mixture then fractures the rock, which allows trapped gas to rise to the surface which then gets collected. This is not a new idea, and has existed since the 1970s, however it has not been used previously due to technological hold backs.

Approved fracking sites already exist across the UK in Kent, Sussex, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, Scotland & South Wales, and more of these sites are proposed. People opposing the use of fracking have used the example of the two minor earthquakes in Blackpool in 2011 to support their claim. An independent government commissioned report stated that these minor earthquakes were attributable to Fracking.

It is obvious that methods of extracting fossil fuels from land will continue to be a contentious topic. Certainly more research is needed into the affects of Fracking, but serious attention should be given to the development of new ways to harness renewable energy.

mosshaselhurst Solicitors