| answer text |
<p>The Government accepted all of Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering’s
recommendations made in their report. We have implemented the majority of recommendations
in full, for example:</p><p>· We have introduced a requirement, through the Infrastructure
Act, that the Secretary of State will not issue a hydraulic fracturing consent unless
a range of conditions have been met. These include that appropriate arrangements have
been made for the monitoring of emissions of methane into the air, the independent
inspection of the integrity of the relevant well and for the environmental impact
to be taken into account by the local planning authority.</p><p>· The British Geological
Survey has published regional data on tectonic history and faulting in many prospective
areas and DECC set out new requirements for operators to control seismic risks, including
a ‘traffic light’ system to pause or halt fracking if unusual seismic activity is
detected.</p><p>· DECC now requires operators to compile an Environmental Risk Assessment,
with the participation of the local community, at an early stage of developing shale
gas projects. This is in addition to extensive guidance to drive high standards throughout
the lifecycle of a project.</p><p>· The Infrastructure Act includes the requirement
for relevant water companies to be statutory consultees.</p><p> </p><p>We continue
to respond as exploratory wells provide more data and information. For example, DECC
is working with the industry to develop appropriate monitoring for the period after
production ceases and the well is decommissioned.</p>
|
|
