The Independent is reporting that shale gas is not seen as a solution to the UK's energy crisis.
The Government has rejected shale gas technology as a solution to Britain's energy crisis, conceding it will do little to cut bills or keep the lights on.
Supporters of the fracking technology – which blasts water, sand and chemicals at extreme pressures to release gas trapped deep in rock – argue it could be the single greatest factor in transforming Britain's energy market, reducing our reliance on foreign imports and dramatically reducing costs.
But The Independent on Sunday has learned that industry experts made clear at a meeting attended by senior ministers, including David Cameron and Ed Davey, the Lib Dem energy secretary, that the UK's reserves were smaller than first thought and could be uneconomical to extract.
I must say, I would treat this report with caution. I think this is just a somewhat hyped version of the story about the Downing Street seminar that I published a few days ago.
(H/T Martin)
Bishop Hill
More coverage of this story at the No Hot Air blog, which notes the identities of several of the participating businesses. They seem not to include any companies actually involved in fracking.
This makes Ed Davey look thoroughly dishonest.