The UK government is making administrative changes it says will support development of natural gas resources in shale.
“Recent decisions on shale exploration planning applications remain disappointingly slow against a statutory time frame of 16 weeks where an environmental impact assessment is required,” Greg Clark, secretary of state for business, energy, and industrial strategy, told Parliament.
“Shale gas development is of national importance,” he said. “The government expects mineral planning authorities to give great weight to the benefits of mineral extraction, including to the economy. This includes shale gas exploration and extraction.”
The initiatives apply only in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not allow hydraulic fracturing (OGJ Online, May 10, 2017).
Operators exploring for shale gas in England have met strong opposition to drilling and hydraulic fracturing, including by local governments.
Clark said the UK government will streamline handling of applications for shale work and create a shale environmental regulator and planning brokerage service for this purpose.
The government also will develop a £1.6-million shale support fund over 2 years to help local authorities handle shale applications.