Fracking protests

Anti-fracking protestors welcomed the decision by Lancashire County Council to refuse permission to drill exploration wells for shale gas (your report, 30 June).

Most countries increased their emissions between 1990 and 2009 but the USA reduced their emissions as they shut coal-
powered plants and switched to shale gas.

Countries around the world are rich in shale gas and will 
exploit it.

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) proposed that there should be a “moratorium on the hydraulic fracturing of shale gas deposits” but perversely ignored Public Health England’s conclusion that the “current available evidence indicates that the potential risks will be low”.

Sanctions have been imposed on Russia over Ukraine but Europe is heavily reliant on the Russian gas pipeline.

What will the West do when Putin turns off the tap?

At one time it was thought that the West’s reliance on this could be countered by the rapid exploration and extraction of shale gas.

Thousands of jobs at Ineos in Grangemouth are reliant on imported shale gas.

Longannet provides 2,400MW of electricity for two million homes and nuclear energy provides 35 per cent of Scotland’s need.

Both are due to close.

Will the anti-fracking brigade rejoice when the lights go out?

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow