Lucas comes out against Fracking .

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

Caroline Lucas has again shown herself to be the real opposition to the Cameron / Clegg Coalition .

In an article in the Independent recently, Lucas flagged up the dangers involved in the process of 'Fracking', which is currently banned in places as diverse as Switzerland and new York State.


As well as the question of making areas geologically unstable, there is also the dangers of groundwater being polluted by hydrocarbons when fracking operations are carried out. As subsidiary company to BP wants to go ahead, but Lucas has become the main opponent of this questionable activity in the UK.

Caroline Lucas MP said: "As evidence mounts of the potentially negative effects of shale gas extraction both here in the UK and abroad, the need for a thorough and fully independent investigation into the environmental and health impacts of fracking becomes ever more urgent.

"The proposed changes to the UK's planning laws could make it far easier for companies such as Cuadrilla to gain permission for shale gas operations, while at the same time Ministers are failing to address the weaknesses in the regulatory framework which should protect local communities. I recently quizzed Defra Secretary Caroline Spelman about the fact that, according to the European Commission, the chemicals used in fracking are not registered for this purpose under the REACH regulation, which could make it illegal. Almost one month on, I am still waiting for a response.

"Given these concerns, and the fact that any significant investment in shale gas will seriously undermine the UK's transition towards genuinely clean energy, the Government should halt operations and impose a moratorium on new shale gas exploration - at least until a more detailed and independent assessment is forthcoming."

Comments

[adcott.livejournal.com]

Caroline Lucas has again shown herself to be the real opposition to the Cameron / Clegg Coalition

Reading this, it sounds like you're suggesting that she's saying things that the actual opposition - Labour - aren't saying.

Earlier this year:

Labour urges government to stop fracking around with shale gas (http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2078183/labour-urges-government-stop-fracking-shale-gas)

Labour has reiterated calls for the government to impose an immediate moratorium on shale gas projects in the UK until it has commissioned and completed its own report on the likely impact of the controversial technology.

How is that significantly different to your quote by Lucas as to make her the "real opposition"?:

"... the Government should halt operations and impose a moratorium on new shale gas exploration - at least until a more detailed and independent assessment is forthcoming."

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

I note that your link refers to correspondence sent to a government minister, whereas the Independent refers to a statement that Lucas has made in the House and has also released to the press.

It is commendable if the Labour Party has indeed stood up the the government on this in any way - but the overall impression i got from this report, and so many others is that the opposition are simply debating the scale or the timing of government proposals, if that.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/mp-backs-gas-fracking-despite-reports-of-quakes-in-blackpool-6256893.html?origin=internalSearch

You will note that this was a cross party commission. I wonder of Caroline Lucas sat on it, or indeed , if the government can pick and choose who gets to sit on a cross party, independent committee of inquiry.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Fracking is banned here too. The government tried to submit to pressure from foreign lobbyists (mostly US, through the US ambassador who was the main lobbyist) to remove the ban and start using that technology. There was a huge outcry (and still is), and they're about to quit their plans.

Same situation about GM organisms by the way. The US ambassador pressed real hard on behalf of Monsanto for the lifting of the GMO ban here, and for a time our government seemed likely to surrender. But the public outcry again made them reconsider.

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

Fracking is banned here too.
I am pleased to hear that the good people of Bulgaria have managed to see off the might of the American Corporations. The more I hear about Bulgaria, the more I like it - I may even seek out a Bulgarian restaurant in London raise a glass of rackia to the activists among your compatriots to celebrate their victory. Happy Christmas.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Well the environmental issue was *THE* biggest trigger that brought communism down in this particular location. It all started with the Ecoglasnost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecoglasnost) movement which decided that enough was enough, and the commies had done enough damage to the air and water in the city of Ruse. From there, it all swiftly slided downhill for the commies.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Oh, and merry Christmas to you too, good Sir! You might try this (http://www.qype.co.uk/place/375332-The-Crazy-Cock-Bulgarian-Mehana-London) tavern in Willesden. Take the Jubilee line to Willesden Green and you're there. :-)

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I am really impressed that you can locate a Bulgarian Restaurant in London from such a great distance.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Been there (London). Not in that tavern, though. Btw most of the reviews I'm reading about it are horrible. Maybe you'd do better if you stick to this one (http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/restaurants/restaurant-7854.php). Besides it's closer to the centre (Islington). Piccadilly line, etc.

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

strangely, one woman I read said that it was very typically Bulgarian - authentic, rather than touristy. ok, some items of Bulgarian cuisine could not be imported (like brains and stuff0 but I dunno that Ii want to go that far :)

The idea of a place that lets one experience the real flavour of being abroad does appeal, and not all the reviews were bad ( is it a place where the local ex pats go to eat , I wonder?)

But, yes, i will take a look at the other place , it may be closer to where I work .

[allhatnocattle.livejournal.com]

Fracking is very common here, even in close proximity to major cities and their water supplies. None or the predicted or cited consequences have been an issue.

On the other hand we have never nuked the tarsands. Turning the sand to glass would make oil extraction easier and more efficient. http://www.innovationalberta.com/article.php?articleid=90