Fracking in Greater Manchester (Air Pollution, Contaminated Land and Polluted Ground Water): Dear Michael Kane As my local MP please could you provide a response as to your personal position on Fracking in Greater Manchester and that of your party if it differs. (Fracking being the term used ref. the hydraulic fracturing of the ground beneath our feet to release carbon based shale gas). As a previous member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, and having worked in the field of Contaminated Land, and as a resident of Manchester I am horrified that Fracking is being allowed to take place in the UK and especially in this region. The legacy of past industrial contamination of the, air, land and ground water was possibly down to ignorance. It is highly unlikely that 19th Century Tanneries or Dyeworks, for example, knew of the risk to human health their industry would have in year to come, or issues with asbestos when it was first used , however with Fracking its very different as it is well established around the world that pumping radioactive and toxic liquid deep into the ground, include disinfectants, carcinogenic compounds and other toxins, spreading out over miles is simply irresponsible. The number of people with breathing problems, birth defects, miscarriages and cancers are also reported to be elevated around Fracking sites, not to mention the enormous number of lorries needed to service each well site which damages the local roads and elevates air pollution and noise pollution in the area. A side impact not often cited is that with the lorries comes increased wear and damage to the roads which will then be paid for out of local tax papers pockets. I have not mentioned the devaluation of nearby houses but I trust you get the picture of the knock on effects that such a process has on the whole environmental and social fabric of the area. It is estimated that each well (for which there will be many dozens if Fracking is allowed to continue) uses several million gallons of freshwater which will be contaminated by radioactive and toxic chemicals contained in the Fracking fluid. I have read Fracking companies such as Chevron say that they recycle the fluid in a closed system for future use or disposed of under regulation, however this is categorically untrue as a good proportion of the fluid remains in the ground, and not all the toxins can be cleaned out before its dumped into the Manchester ship canal!. A UK government paper states that a third of the water is returned to the surface i.e. Millions of Gallons of contaminated water remains in the ground and at the moment freshwater is needed for the fracturing process, so nothing is going to change any day soon. Also with such large quantities of freshwater needed its likely that the general public will find summer drought restrictions happen more frequently. I personal dont want to be using a stand pipe in years to come or worse still drinking desalinated water. I can see only one gain from this practice, that of profit. Profit for the Fracking companies and profit from taxes for this financially challenged economy. It may also be worth being reminded that even with what may have been seen to be a new source of Carbon based fuel for the UK, due to our agreements with Europe the price of Gas for the UK general public will not change as a result of Fracking. It will also do very little to our carbon reduction commitments where as investment in Geothermal, Solar, Wind, Wave and Tidal energies may do. Nine European countries already ban Fracking including Northern Ireland, France, parts of Spain and Germany. With Bulgaria banning Fracking a couple of months ago i.e. January14, withdrawing Chevrons licences. P.S: Please dont hide behind legislation to justify Fracking as bad laws dont make a dangerous procedures safe e.g. the use of radioactivity in Fracking. Naturally formed or otherwise. Ref: Radioactive Substances Regulation (RSR) permit as per Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010. Personally I do not want an increase level of radioactivity in my local environmental. Do please however, do your own research to formulate your response, as those with vested interest at stake and powerful paid lobbyists and members of the Lords or Government are not to be underestimated to just how much they will hide, manipulate or down play the know risks for their own gain or political positioning. It is worth being reminded that Caroline Lucas MP revealed that at least 50 employees of energy/gas/oil companies are working within government. quotes by 38degrees.org.uk, including the likes of Chairman of Fracking company Cuadrilla Lord Browne. I look forward to your considered response in due course. Yours sincerely Many Websites contain information about Fracking including: wrongmove.org cawaf.org/ greenpeace.org.uk/climate/fracking etc
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:33:45 +0000