Fracking Loophole Must Be Closed To Protect Coastal Communities, MP Warns

Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume is urging the Government to close a legal loophole in forthcoming energy legislation that allows small-scale gas extraction operations near coastal communities.

The MP says Coastal communities will remain vulnerable to controversial gas extraction methods unless a legal loophole is closed.

Forthcoming energy legislation is being targeted for changes after warnings that current rules leave villages exposed to techniques they believed were already banned.

The push for tighter regulations stems from recent proposals by Europa Oil and Gas to carry out a 'proppant squeeze' operation near Burniston, a village on the edge of the picturesque North York Moors.

The application triggered overwhelming public opposition and was ultimately rejected by North Yorkshire Council's Area Planning Committee.

Despite the local victory, the possibility for companies to use hydraulic fracturing techniques that fall below current legal thresholds remains open.

Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has held a series of meetings and used a high-profile speech in Westminster to confirm she is pursuing the issue, despite the Government signalling it does not share her interpretation of the rules.

Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to banning fracking through the forthcoming Energy Independence Bill. Crucially, the Government maintains that 'proppant squeezing' does not carry the same environmental and safety concerns associated with large-scale shale gas extraction, and therefore does not undermine its manifesto commitments.

However, this distinction is not recognised by local residents who opposed the plans in Burniston and ignores key expert evidence. A report by Professor Stuart Haszeldine, an eminent geologist at the University of Edinburgh, warns that low-volume fracking, such as 'proppant squeezing', can produce tremors that are equally large and unpredictable as high-volume operations.

Alison Hume said:

"I’m continuing the fight to close what I regard as a loophole in the fracking moratorium on behalf of my constituents, particularly those in and around Burniston who have made their opposition to the proposed proppant squeeze there clear. I was pleased when members of North Yorkshire Council's Area Planning Committee rejected this application, reflecting the strength of local feeling and the concerns residents have consistently raised. My view is simple: if it looks like fracking and sounds like fracking, then no matter what volume of fluid is being used, it is fracking. People should not feel the ban on fracking is being undermined by technical definitions."

The campaign aims to ensure the upcoming legislation protects areas across East Yorkshire as well as North Yorkshire, with ongoing efforts to work constructively with ministers, colleagues, and campaigners.

Alison Hume said:

"In our manifesto, we committed to ban fracking. Our forthcoming Energy Independence bill commits to do the same.

However, unless we implement a full ban on fracking, companies like Europa Oil and Gas will continue to exploit the existing loophole. Rathlin Energy are about to start small-scale fracking at their West Newton site in East Yorkshire, one of 66 current licenses across the country.

Our Labour government talks about banning fracking and safeguarding the places we love, but unless the government acts boldly and closes the loophole, communities across the country, such as those in West Newton and Burniston, will have fracking operations on their doorstep."

Alison Hume argues that  comprehensive ban based on process and intent is seen as the only way to safeguard the natural environment and put an end to fracking permanently, rather than relying on technical volume limits.

Alison Hume said:

"unless we legislate to ban all forms of fracking in our upcoming energy independence bill, then our fracking ban will be symbolic, rather than material.

We have a unique opportunity to show climate leadership. We have an opportunity as a government to stand up to the frackers, to make our legislation watertight, to safeguard the natural environment, listen to the concerns in our communities and to meet our climate commitments.

By introducing a comprehensive ban based on process and intent, we can finally put an end to fracking once and for all."

The Scarborough and Whitby MP added:

"I will continue pressing Ministers to act and ensure the moratorium means exactly what people expect it to mean."