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energy, shale, Michael Fallon, minister

Lords question Energy Minister on shale

21 January 2014

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The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee will next week take evidence from Energy Minister Michael Fallon MP as part of its inquiry into the potential impact of shale gas and oil on the UK economy.

Witnesses

On Tuesday 21 January, 3:35pm, Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster

  • Michael Fallon MP, Energy Minister
  • Duarte Figueira, Director of the Office for Unconventional Gas & Oil at the Department of Energy and Climate Change

The Committee will ask the witnesses question on a range of areas including:

  • What the Prime Minister meant when he claimed recently that the UK was ‘going all out for shale’ and why the government believe shale can provide economic security for the UK.
  • Whether they are content with the current pace of shale development in the UK and if not what can be done to improve it.
  • Why does the Government think the Environment Agency has not had any applications for permits to hydraulically fracture since the government moratorium was lifted in December 2012?
  • Is the lack of clear regulations around shale in the UK putting off investors?
  • What is the government’s response to the report from the Commons Environmental Audit Committee which concluded that fracking does not warrant subsidy through a favourable tax regime?
  • Is the offer to local communities to keep 1% of the proceeds of shale gas and oil extracted in their area sufficient to overcome opposition to fracking?
  • Are the government confident that shale gas production in the UK would have as significant effect on the economy and energy security as it has had in the US?

Further information