Positive element

Prime Minister David Cameron is encouraging exploration for shale gas (your report, 14 January).

Councils will be allowed to keep 100 per cent of the business rates plus £100,000 for every gas well that is fracked plus a proposed 1 per cent of revenue.

The usual green suspects complain that this is a bribe. What about all the bribes given by wind farm developers to local communities on the condition that they did not oppose, and thus delay, the harvesting of eye-watering turbine subsidies?

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In America shale gas has replaced coal, improved air pollution and reduced CO2 emissions.

The zealots repeat the myth that fracking causes ground water pollution and earthquakes.

Fracking uses a basic mixture of water and sand with minor additives which can be found in kitchen or garage – 0.01 each of a biocide, a polymeric lubricant and a stabiliser. As for earthquakes, there is more vibration from a number nine bus.

The construction of a single wind turbine requires 2,000 HGV movements but a shale gas wellhead only 1,000, over a much shorter time of two months.

Shale gas will make the UK less reliant on volatile foreign suppliers. What’s not to like?

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow

Dare to be Honest
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