Following yesterday's two thousand strong People's Climate March in Manchester (see Salford Star report – click here), Angela Eagle MP, Chair of the Labour Party, went on local tv reaffirming the Party's support for fracking, with greater `safeguards'.
At the same time, Barbara Keeley, Salford Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles South, made it clear that she will oppose fracking in her constituency. Speaking at the Fracking's Not The Future event organized by Friends of the Earth, she highlighted the problems that exploratory drilling, conducted by IGas at Barton Moss last winter, had caused local businesses, the local community and the environment.
"I will oppose any application which sought to start using hydraulic fracturing in Irlam or other local areas where I felt the process would not be safe or would bring detrimental impacts on quality of life for local people" she said.
Salford Council has still not had a debate on the issue, with an expected application from IGas for fracking on Barton Moss in the pipeline. Meanwhile, this Friday, 26th September, from 8am, anti-fracking protesters will stage a picket of the Fracking North: Continuing the Debate on Hydraulic Fracturing for Gas Conference being held at The Lowry near MediaCityUK.
The Conference is costing delegates £350 a ticket and is set up as a `debate' that "will discuss how the advancement of fracking could contribute significantly to the UK's energy security and reduce the reliance on imported gas as the country moves to a low carbon economy...Whilst assessing any potential environmental risks associated with fracking and need for the industry to consistently apply good practice, and the need for proper scrutiny and oversight of the industry to address any risks across the entire lifecycle of shale gas extraction."
As well as IGas Energy, the Fracking North Conference is also being supported by Friends of the Earth. Speakers include pro-fracking IGas Chief Operating Officer, John Blaymires, Chris Faulkner, of Breitling Energy, Ray MacSweeney, Director of Energy Advisory and, on the other side, Tony Bosworth from Friends of the Earth, plus Damien Short, a lecturer on Human Rights and some barristers.
Given that no-one from Salford can afford the entrance fee, local residents and friends will be making their views known outside the venue.
Meanwhile, protectors who took part in lock-ons during the winter Barton Moss campaign against IGas are in Manchester Magistrates Court today and tomorrow pleading `not guilty' to various charges.
Fracking North Conference Protest
Friday 26th September from 8am. For those who can't make it then, there's a further show at 12noon with a photocall at 1pm
The Lowry, Salford Quays
See facebook event for further details – click here
(2).JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
