Fracking Stupid!

Kent Green Party have attacked today's decision by Kent County Council(1) to allow the exploration for shale gas as 'sheer stupidity'. They have said that the decision is the latest in a series of attacks by Conservatives and Lib Dems on Kent that will irrevocably damage the environment(2).

Stuart Jeffery, Chair of Kent Green Party: "Kent is under attack by the Conservatives and Lib Dems on a scale never seen before. This decision to allow for the exploration of the shale at Woodnesborough is the latest in a series attacks on Kent. It is very likely that the exploration will lead to shale gas extraction through fracking which will inflict serious and irrevocable damage on the environment, particularly ground water supplies, while ensuring that the country's duty to reduce its carbon emissions is missed(3).

"This decision comes just a couple of days after Vince Cable gave the thumbs up to the Grain airport which will devastate the Isle of Grain as well as ensuring that roads around North Kent become even more congested than they are already. And with the National Planning Policy Framework giving a free reign for developers to build just about anywhere they want, we are deeply concerned with the damage being wreaked on the County.

"The impact of climate change on Kent will be significant, with loss of land around our coast and increasing droughts. Pumping more CO2 into the atmosphere with a massive airport at Grain and by burning fracked gas are sheer stupidity. There are far better ways of powering the future than by drilling for more fossil fuels(4)."

FURTHER INFORMATION: Stuart Jeffery, Chair of Kent Green Party, on 0797 0436 029. Contact address as above. Promoted by H.Dawe for Kent Green Party, both at 27, Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. KENT GREEN NEWS, monthly free ezine from Kent Green Party is available: subscribe at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1. http://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s28216/Item%20C1%20-%20Junction%20of%20A256%20-%20A257%20nr%20Woodnesborough.pdf and see: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/woodnesborough_shale_drilling_plan_approved_1_1146620

2. See www.kentgreenparty.org for multiple examples. Also: An extraordinary alliance of countryside campaigners, wildlife groups and green activists has launched a savage onslaught on the government,accusing it of showing "stunning disregard" for the environment. Observer 4th Dec 2011 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/03/new-green-alliance-savages-osborne

3. The Government has halved the feed in tariff for solar PV generated electricity, undermining this effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions despite rising emissions in the UK. The Department for Energy and Climate Change has admitted that greenhouse gas emissions in the UK were 2.8% higher in 2010 than in 2009: http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/news/national-news/122101-uks-greenhouse-gas-emissions-on-the-increase.html This appalling failure demonstrates other aspects of the overall situation under the Coalition Government, including the continued failure of the planning system to favour ecologically sustainable development and refurbishment.

4. More on this story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-16029983