Energy minister, Claire Perry MP, has promised to work with the shale gas industry to find an industry-led solution to any long-term risk which might arise from shale gas operations. A number of local people had contacted me regarding the risk that a producer becomes insolvent with the liability for decommissioning falling back on the landowner if no previous operators of the well can be found. I am pleased that Ms Perry has recognised that this is an area which still needs to be resolved and I shall keep up the pressure to make sure a suitable solution is found.
The minister also confirmed that the HSE and EA have sufficient specialist inspectors to deliver the regulatory regime during the current shale gas exploratory phase. In a letter, responding to a number of points I raised, Ms Perry said ‘if a large number of wells are drilled in order to produce shale gas, HSE and EA may need to increase the resource accordingly. There are plans to review their resource at the relevant times.’
The Minister also made it clear that there is no risk of production increasing too quickly for regulators to keep pace, as has been the case in the United States. This is because, before activities can begin, the operator will need to have received the relevant permits from the regulators and any excess applications would not be dealt with until the regulator was able to take a decision.
As far as the cumulative impact of shale sites is concerned just this week, Planning Inspector Elizabeth Ord, indicated that she will support a proposal in the North Yorkshire Mineral and Waste Joint Plan that would restrict well pad density to 10 per 100 sq. km., a 3.5Km buffer zone around our national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and SSSIs. I have been campaigning for these so restrictions, so I welcome this as it will provide reassurance for local residents worried about the impact on their communities.