The Welsh Affairs Select Committee is meeting today to discuss shale gas. As usual they have have a mixture of scientists (Hywel Thomas who was involved in the Royal Society report on shale and Richard Davies of Durham, a geologist specialising in the area) and people who campaign against economic development (Kevin Anderson, and bods from Friends of the Earth and WWF. As usual nobody speaks for the consumer.
The Welsh Affairs Committee will hold its first evidence session on Shale Gas in Wales on Tuesday 22 October at 10.00 am. The Committee will take evidence from academics and environmental groups.
- Nick Molho, Head of Policy, Climate and Energy, WWF
- Gareth Clubb, Director, Friends of the Earth Cymru
- Trefor Owen, Executive Director for National Services, Natural Resources Wales
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- Professor Hywel Thomas, Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering (Cardiff University)
- Professor Richard Davies, Durham University
- Professor Kevin Anderson, Deputy Director, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
- Trefor Owen, Executive Director for National Services, Natural Resources Wales
- Gareth Clubb, Director, Friends of the Earth Cymru
- Nick Molho, Head of Policy, Climate and Energy, WWF
10.45am
Shale gas is natural gas (predominately methane) found in shale rocks. Advances in technology – notably hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ - over the last decade have made shale gas development economically viable. Planning permission has been given at a number of sites in Wales for exploratory drilling for shale gas. Further planning permission would be required for a full-scale extraction process.
The Committee will examine the potential for shale gas exploration and commercial level extraction in Wales. It will also explore the environmental and economic impact of shale gas and whether the current regulatory regime covering such activity is adequate.
Evidence session details:
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2013
Time: 10.00 am
Location: Wilson Room, Portcullis HouseWitnesses
10.00am
10.45am