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Energy: Fracking

Answer

The Government considers that the current environmental regulatory framework is sufficiently robust to deal with any risks to groundwater that may arise from fracking operations. Operators wishing to undertake fracking within England or Wales are obliged to notify the Environment Agency (EA) of this intention under Section 32 and/or Section 199 of the Water Resources Act 1991. The EA takes a risk-based approach to the regulation of fracking activities under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 (EPR), and will assess the permitting requirements for each proposal on a site-by-site basis, considering the design of the fracking operations and its proximity to ground and surface waters. A permit will be required where fluids containing pollutants are injected into rock formations that contain groundwater. A permit may also be needed if the activity poses a risk of mobilising natural substances that could then cause pollution. The permit will specify limits on the activity, any requirements for monitoring, the chemicals to be used and in what maximum concentrations. If the activity poses an unacceptable risk to the environment the EA will not issue a permit. If the EA decides that the activity cannot affect groundwater, a permit will not be necessary. However, such activities are still subject to the EPR. If a significant risk or an actual impact becomes apparent, the EA may issue a notice under the EPR requiring the operator to obtain a permit, or in extreme situations, a notice to prohibit the activity. Scotland and Northern Ireland will have their own measures in place as the protection of groundwater is a devolved matter.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

10125; 728 c333WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Fossil fuels Exploration Pollution Ground water

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk