for frack sake please stop this now

[hyperD]

That's if you're not counting the hundreds of years worth of coal down there. I've been mildly surprised that coal seam gas extraction hasn't been developed over here, it's big business in Australia now.

Absolutely FB, China has 400 years worth of coal reserves at current consumption.

As they say in Vegas, I see your windmill and raise you one life of cheap energy and Oriental bliss.

[EternalOptimist]

And anyway, Blackpool is a small price to pay

[Fred Bloggs]

Last chance saloon for the UK too. Once that's gone, we're all out of fossils. Nice while it lasted.

That's if you're not counting the hundreds of years worth of coal down there. I've been mildly surprised that coal seam gas extraction hasn't been developed over here, it's big business in Australia now.

[hyperD]

The other problem with fracking is that the stuff they pump down there and the gas released can end up polluting drinking water.

The fracking formation fluids include gas, oil, salt water and fresh water.

Not really different from any other type of fossil fuel extraction process.

Remember, the fossil fuel is in porous rock, not as the MSM like to depict, vast caves filled with fluid and gas which will collapse like a council house renovated by a bunch of tattoo emblazoned pikeys.

[TimberWolf]

We desperately need this gas, it will transform the energy landscape of the entire UK, just like it has in the USA. It will also make a huge difference to the economy of the north west of England. Shale gas is potentially the best news I have ever heard of in my lifetime here in the NW.

Last chance saloon for the UK too. Once that's gone, we're all out of fossils. Nice while it lasted.

[Fred Bloggs]

We desperately need this gas, it will transform the energy landscape of the entire UK, just like it has in the USA. It will also make a huge difference to the economy of the north west of England. Shale gas is potentially the best news I have ever heard of in my lifetime here in the NW.

[BlasterBates]

Yes industrial activity can potentially pollute the drinking water but it doesn´t. Drinking water is constantly monitored, and there are strict limits. Fracking is going on all over the world, and there are no reports of drinking water pollution. There are however a few fraudsters on the internet who set fire to "drinking water" just to get some attention.

[doodab]

The other problem with fracking is that the stuff they pump down there and the gas released can end up polluting drinking water.

[PAH]

So all those houses subsiding because they're over a coal mine would have subsided anyway?

Anyhow, I'm not that bothered if Blackpool does disappear down a big hole. They can finally build Blackpool Vegas then.

[TimberWolf]

AFAIK, fracking only sets off quakes that would have happened anyway and can't start mega death quakes; the fracking energy input is minuscule compared to what the earth (and moon) does. That's not to say it couldn't leave nice big holes in the surface where your house was though.

[mrdonuts]

Shale Pioneers Plan Next English Wells After Fracking Causes Earthquake - Bloomberg