Actions to take

The tireless work of campaigners fighting the industry, together with community outrage at the recent earthquakes and renewed media interest has combined to increase the pressure on local politicians to speak out against fracking.

Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, recently wrote to the Minister of State (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) noting “it has become abundantly clear that the Fylde coast is not suitable for the shale gas industry” and “calling for a full cessation of hydraulic fracturing on the Fylde Coast.” Other MPs have made similar statements, including Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, who called for fracking to remain suspended “until such a time as Cuadrilla is able to operate within the established regulations.”

Now is the time to urge other MPs to follow suit and call on the government to both stand firm on earthquake regulations (the traffic light system) and demand the full cessation of hydraulic fracturing across Lancashire.

What can you do?

If you live or work in Lancashire, you can contact your local MP asking them to write to the Minister of State (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), Kwasi Kwarteng.

You can use the model email below to write to your MP, or better still, why not ask for a meeting? It can take some time to receive a formal response from an MP so the sooner you contact them, the better. Some MPs hold regular surgeries, while others will meet with constituents on a more ad hoc basis. Ringing the constituency office is a good way to find out when the earliest appointment slot is available.

If you get a response, please share on social media.

Not sure who your MP is?

Enter your postcode here to find out who your MP is and access their contact details.

Model email:

 

Subject: Please write to government demanding a full cessation of hydraulic fracturing across Lancashire

Dear _____________ MP,

I am writing to you following the record fracking-induced tremors that have hit many parts of Lancashire in recent days. There have been over 100 seismic events since Cuadrilla began fracking their second well earlier this month, with a significant number breaching the 0.5M limit. These were felt as far afield as Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Preston and Chorley. The UK’s most powerful fracking-induced earth tremor yet hit on 26 August, measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale. This is almost four times bigger than the earthquakes in 2011 at Preese Hall that led to a moratorium on fracking.

This is a worrying development for the local community. Residents are alarmed by the quantity and magnitude of induced seismic activity over a very short time frame and the numerous environmental breaches that have taken place.

We are not a ‘sacrifice zone’ and do not accept any compromise to our welfare. Our environment and well-being must be paramount.

[Add a sentence or two to introduce yourself, explain why you are concerned about this issue or reference any previous contact you have had with your MP. Lobbying emails are more impactful if you personalise them.]

Fracking has already been forced on local communities, accompanied by the promise from government that it would be subject to ‘gold standard’ regulation. The oil and gas industry accepted these limits when they were introduced and didn’t protest until they found late last year that they couldn’t frack profitably within them. The Traffic Light System rules state that fracking must stop if earthquakes reach a magnitude 0.5. However, the Oil and Gas Authority approved Cuadrilla’s recent application to frack a second well at Preston New Road, despite the fact they predicted operations may induce seismic events in excess of this.

The OGA has now rightly suspended fracking at Preston New Road while the recent earthquakes are investigated, but I do not accept that fracking will ever be safe or can be regulated effectively.

I was dismayed to learn that the BEIS has shifted position and recently stated they are now not ruling out a review of the TLS. The government must not give in to industry demands and move the goalposts.

I welcome the recent statement by Fylde MP, Mark Menzies, committing to “writing to Ministers and the Oil and Gas Authority to call for full cessation of the shale gas industry operating on the Fylde Coast.” Other MPs have made similar statements, including Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, who called for fracking to remain suspended“ until such a time as Cuadrilla is able to operate within the established regulations.” [Or if you are a constituent of either Menzies or Maynard, welcome his statement and ask him to go further by demanding the full cessation of hydraulic fracturing across Lancashire]. I hope more of the MPs in Lancashire can add their voice to this demand that our communities’ welfare is put ahead of the fracking industry.

I urge you to write to the Minister of State (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy), Kwasi Kwarteng, demanding the full cessation of hydraulic fracturing across Lancashire.

I thank you for your support and ask that you keep me informed of any action you take on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

__________________

[Add your address and contact email]

The Daily Telegraph revealed on 11 February that the government has suppressed a report which forecasts a dismal future for fracking in the UK, while government ministers have continued to quote reports which now appear to be hugely exaggerated.

Please write to your MP demanding that he or she insists on the immediate publication of this report.

See “Contact your local political representatives” below for details of how to contact your MP.

Sign this petition

“Make Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) illegal in the UK”

… we all get petition fatigue but this one is important so please sign and share!

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200307

And this petition too!

“Support Kirby Misperton Protection Camp”

… this one is in response to the astroturfers’ cynical attempt to use 38 Degrees against fracking protest – they really do need teaching a lesson so please sign and share 🙂

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/support-kirby-misperton-protection-camp

Contact your local press

…if you are not happy with their coverage of the fracking debate. The more letters they receive from locals the sooner they will realise that their commercial interest lies as much with those who buy their papers as those who advertise in them. Details below:

Click to see more...

• • • Blackpool Gazette – letters@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
    • Lancashire Evening Post – lepforum@lep.co.uk
    • Lancashire Telegraph – lt_letters@nqnw.co.uk
    • Lytham St Annes Express – news@lsaexpress.co.uk

If you have any further contact details we should add here please let us know by email at welcome@frackfreelancashire.org