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Written question asked by Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 1 May 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 May 2019. It was answered by Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative) on Monday, 13 May 2019 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Fracking: Earthquakes

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations his Department has received from (a) fracking companies, (b) environmental groups and (c) the shale gas commissioner on the appropriateness of current guidelines on tremors caused by fracking.

Answer

The Department routinely receives correspondence from a wide range of stakeholders in relation to the regulatory regime for shale gas extraction, including the traffic light system.

The Traffic Light System for monitoring induced seismicity was introduced after consideration of advice from scientists, following operations at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site in 2011. The level of magnitude 0.5 at which operators must pause operations, was set in consultation with industry as an appropriate precautionary measure. These regulations have been working as intended and there are no plans to review the traffic light system.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
250018
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Earthquakes Fracking
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk