British govt. under pressure for "sneak tactics"
The British government is under pressure from environmental campaigners and opposition lawmakers for using “sneak tactics” to relax legislation on fracking under national parks despite promising a ban.
Opposition lawmakers blamed the government for rushing to back fracking, a way of extracting gas by pumping water, chemicals and sand underground. The opponents say the method could pollute water supplies, scar the countryside, and trigger earthquakes.
Labour's Chief Energy Spokeswoman Lisa Nandy accused the cabinet ministers of using a parliamentary back door to try to approve the "weak regulations" without debate.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the government was trying to sneak through a decision, labeling such a move "outrageous".
Observers say the change would allow shale gas companies to drill sideways under national parks. They say the government made a commitment before the general election, for an "outright ban" on drilling in national parks.
Environmentalists said the government is pressing ahead with the changes without a full debate.
The government has pledged to go all-out for shale, saying it would increase energy security, keep prices down and create jobs. But there is widespread opposition and there is no commercial fracking under way in Britain yet.
The government's plans were dealt a blow earlier this year when local authorities rejected plans for an exploratory fracking site by energy firm Cuadrilla in northwest England following protests.
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