Fracking 'good for energy security'

Hydraulic fracturing for shale oil and gas is “in the national purpose” and right for Britain’s energy security, the chairman of Cuadrilla said.

Lord Browne, the former chief executive of BP, said the controversial extraction method should be pursued if it can be done safely.

He stressed that as much domestic resource should be explored as possible, saying it was more environmentally friendly than importing gas.

Lord Browne told the Sunday Telegraph: “This is about getting domestic resources. Domestic gas is more green than imported gas, and we need to explore as much domestic resource as we can.

“We need to be patient and very clear about what we want to do. It’s a national purpose, it’s right for our energy security, and, if done safely, we should pursue it.”

Communities based near fracking sites will get financial benefits, including a 1% share of the revenues if the fracking succeeds, he added.

Lord Browne’s comments come amid continuing protests near Balcombe, West Sussex, where Cuadrilla has halted exploratory drilling for oil.

After taking advice from Sussex Police, Cuadrilla temporarily suspended its drilling operation as up to 1,000 activists descend on Balcombe for the six-day Reclaim the Power protest, which began on Friday.

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood joined the activists outside the drill site on the camp’s first day, saying fracking would store up trouble environmentally and financially.

More than 45 arrests have so far been made since the protests first sprang up in the West Sussex countryside three weeks ago.

Of those, 33 have been charged with a range of offences, including Natalie Hynde, 30, the daughter of the Pretenders’ singer Chrissie Hynde.

Police officers from 10 other forces have been drafted in as a large daily security operation has been thrown up to keep the peace.

On Friday, Sussex Police disclosed that the policing bill so far had almost reached £750,000, and that Home Office help was being sought to help with the cost.

Although Cuadrilla is not conducting fracking near Balcombe, and would need to apply for permission, activists fear the energy firm will go on to do so.

The method involves high pressure liquid being pumped deep underground to split shale rock and release oil or gas supplies.

Opponents of fracking have highlighted concerns about potential water contamination and environmental damage, as well as small-scale earthquakes.

David Cameron has insisted the whole country should accept fracking, claiming it will attract “real public support” when the benefits are explained, such as potentially cutting energy bills.

The Prime Minister said the process would not damage the countryside and cause only “very minor change to the landscape”.

The Church of England has said it had no official policy in favour or against fracking but appeared to show tacit support for it by warning against “blanket opposition” to it.

The Anglican church said fuel poverty, the creation of jobs, energy self-sufficiency and the development of technology that could cut the impact of more polluting fuels such as coal needed to be taken into account when assessing shale gas exploration.

The debate over the benefits for and against fracking comes as activists continue to pour into the Reclaim the Power camp, about a mile from Cuadrilla’s exploratory oil drilling site.

This weekend workshops have been held on fracking, climate change and fuel poverty, and tents, marquees and solar-powered equipment have been set up.

Tomorrow two days of “direct action” are proposed but camp organisers No Dash for Gas have not revealed what form the action will take.

At last year’s Reclaim the Power camp, West Burton power station in Nottinghamshire was shut down and 21 people were arrested

Balcombe resident Douglas Wragg said: “Because we have here a travesty of democracy and we’ve tried every democratic path to use, the only choice we have left is direct action.

“I’ve been living here for 20 years and I would never have imagined myself being involved in protest. But you either lie down and let Cuadrilla ride roughshod over you, or take direct action.”

Protestor Emma Hughes said, “I’m here in solidarity with the community of Balcombe, and I’m here because we can’t afford to extract new fossil fuels when climate change is already killing hundreds of thousands of people. We’re all locals when it comes to the impact of fossil fuels on the planet.”

The chairman of Balcombe Parish Council, Alison Stevenson, has warned anyone planning to break the law to stay away.

Her concerns were echoed by Francis Egan, the chief executive of Cuadrilla, who said he was worried about site safety and the implications for his workers and peaceful protesters.